Personal Reflections on the Changing of the Years

My 2012 is hard to describe. It had its share of disappointing, frustrating, and heartbreaking moments, both in my own life and in the lives of my family and friends and community. But I choose to not focus on those right now. Through all those times, God was quietly at work in ways I can see as I consider the whole scope of the year. There are still unanswered questions about how God was working in one situation or another, but I expect those answers to come when I need to know them.

With that as my preamble, a few highlights from the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twelve...

I have one best memory and one best experience (yes, the two terms are a bit synonymous, but read on and I think a slight distinction will make sense). The best memory was easily my mid-August road trip for my freshman roommate's wedding, a trip which involved visits with a number of other close college friends. It was an exciting, fulfilling weekend. The best experience was my appointment as orchestra director at Calvary Memorial Church. After having performed with the group while in high school, it was a privilege to be tasked with leading it into a new era of ministry. My subconscious thought, even a year ago, was that I would be involved in church music "here and there" as an adult, but it has become one of my primary engagements.

Given that I am a professional musician, I must briefly enumerate the concerts I attended this year, or at least a few highlights...

• The first concert I saw this year was the Wheaton College Artist Series presentation of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jeffrey Tate, in January.
• In February, I saw Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra present Schubert and the world premiere of a work by Anna Clyne.
• March's highlight was the Wheaton College Concert Choir's presentation of Bach's B Minor Mass, under the baton of retiring director (and one of my former professors), Paul Wiens.
• In April, on Palm Sunday, my small group and I went to hear the College Church musicians present Parts II and III of Messiah.
• In May, I went to the high-energy and absolutely thrilling Wheaton College Festival of Faith, which finished with the Symphonic Band and choirs performing David Holsinger's magnificent arrangement of "I Sing the Mighty Power of God."
• June's highlight, on the very last day of the month, was the Fiftieth Anniversary Concert of the Grant Park Chorus, part of the Grant Park Music Festival - a rare professional choral concert for me.
• July, August, and September were light on concerts as summer wore on and then the school year got underway, but in October, I went to an excellent concert by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
• November's highlight was easily the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's presentation of Mahler's Third Symphony.
• And December, not surprisingly, was highlighted by the Wheaton College Christmas Festival. This year's Festival, "Journey to the Light," was another thrilling concert, including one of my favorites, Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium," as well as a new piece for me, Christopher Teichler's arrangement of "The First Noel." (All of the Wheaton concerts, by the way, are available for streaming.)

And now, two hopes for the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Thirteen...

I really want to get better at chopping raw fruits and vegetables. I mutilated way too many bell peppers, oranges, and tomatoes this past year in my various kitchen experiments (though I did learn how to make a good potato soup and visually appealing omelets). I think a few YouTube instructional videos may be in my near future.

More significantly, I would also like to spend more time memorizing Scripture. I am sufficient in the discipline of reading Scripture daily (I use the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer to guide my personal devotions), but I really want to memorize more of God's Word. And I would like to move a step beyond AWANA-style memorization (just one or two verses at a time) and attempt to commit to memory whole passages, to better understand the ideas presented by Paul, for example.

So those are my thoughts on this New Year's Eve, 2012. And now a New Year's blessing, a verse I memorized earlier this month:

May the God of hope grant you all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

(Romans 15:13 ESV).

Happy New Year!

This is Rubio, over and out.

P.S. Please look at my collection of other bloggers' thoughts on the changing years, as well as thoughts on Bible reading resolutions.

Articles of Note - New Year's and Bible Reading

Happy New Year's Eve, readers! It was an extra day coming this year, because 2012 was a leap year. But here we are, on December 31. My blog and editorial reading the past few days have found many articles on that theme, and I share my highlights here:

Matt Smethurst of The Gospel Coalition provides a synopsis of (and links to) TGC's most popular articles of 2012, which cover a wide variety of important topics. Joe Carter of TGC compiled an interesting list, "The Year in Numbers: 2012."

Christianity Today also looked back at top stories from 2012 with respect to "evangelical life, [thought], and mission," as well as the most-read news stories from their site.

The Heritage Foundation was in retrospect mode as well. Julia Shaw reviews the year in terms of conservative policy, Erika Andersen collects the most popular images from Heritage, and (looking forward to 2013), Jennifer Marshall looks at where conservative policymakers should move with regard to helping the poor.

In the Chicago Tribune, Katie Parker (of the Washington Post) suggests a few words and phrases we all drop from our vocabularies and Barbara Brotman reexamines the idea of a resolution.

Josh Moody of College Church has some end-of-year thoughts from First Peter. Also, some re-published thoughts on resolutions from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

I also came across a number of items about Bible reading, as improvement in that area is a popular New Year's resolution.

For TGC, Trent Hunter suggests a balanced Bible diet of both the Old and New Testaments and Matt Smethurst provides some tips for avoiding failure in keeping Bible reading discipline. Also, Ray Pritchard describes his preferred Bible reading method - note the different word!

Have you read any good end-of-year articles or blogs lately? Share a link in the comments section below!

Also, look for my reflections on 2012 and thoughts for 2013 later today!

Articles of Note - Christmas

Merry Christmas, dear readers! I hope your holiday was joyous and restful.

To keep that Christmas spirit alive, a few articles I have read in the past week about Christmas...

From Christianity Today

• The magazine offers an excerpt from Doug Wilson's book God Rest Ye Merry
• The best Christmas article I read this year is this excerpt from Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark, which speaks to the "wild grace of Christmas"
• David Neff writes about the kingship of Christ with American readers who do not really understand royalty in mind

From the Chicago Tribune

• John Kass writes about hope and love at Christmas
• The editorial board reflects on the children's perspective as Christmas dawns

And finally, Pastor Tullian Tchividjian proclaims the freedom that came on Christmas Day.

Did you read any worthwhile articles or blogs about Christmas this past week? Share them in the comments section below!

Merry Christmas!!!

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 25

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

 

I hope this Musical Advent Calendar has enhanced your preparations for today's celebration of the Birth of Christ. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Christmas! - Eric

DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
 

Text by Charles Wesley (1739)
Hymn Tune: "Mendelssohn" by Felix Mendelssohn (1840), adapted by William H. Cummings (1856)
Performed by the choir, orchestra, and congregation of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDPwNPAV6tA

Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise with the triumph of the skies
With th'angelic hosts proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by hightest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord.
Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace, hail the Son of Righteousness!
Life and light to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 24

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve

Joy Has Dawned

 

Text and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Performed by Kristyn Getty, Margaret Becker, and Joanne Hogg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KOI2wF1maM

 

Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation.

God's salvation now unfurled, hope for ev'ry nation.

Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory,

But a humble gift of love: Jesus born of Mary.

 

Sounds of wonder fill the sky, with the songs of angels

As the mighty Prince of life shelters in a stable.

Hands that set each star in place, shaped the earth in darkness,

Cling now to a mother's breast, vulnerable and helpless

 

Shepherds bow before the lamb, gazing at the glory,

Gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story:

Gold, a King is born to today, incense, God is with us

Myrrh, his death will make a way, and by his blood he'll win us.

 

Son of Adam, Son of Heaven, given as a ransom;

Reconciling God and man, Christ our mighty champion!

What a Savior! What a Friend! What a glorious mystery!

Once a babe in Bethlehem, now the Lord of hist'ry.

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 23

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 23

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Gloria

 

Text from Luke 2:14

Setting by Johann Sebastian Bach (part of the Mass in B Minor) (1741)

Performed by the English Concert and Choir of the English Concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu19NNXBVQg

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Glory to God in the highest

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 22

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 22

The First Noel

 

Traditional English Carol (19th century)

Performed by the David Crowder Band (with original coda)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKJK0qYbKkc

 

The first Noel, the angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter's night that was so deep

Noel, noel, noel, noel

Born is the King of Israel

They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the East beyond them far

And to the Earth it gave great light

And so it continued both day and night

Noel, noel, noel, noel

Born is the King of Israel

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made heaven and earth of naught

And with his blood mankind hath bought

Noel, noel, noel, noel

Born is the King of Israel

[Coda]

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 21

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 21

Wexford Carol

 

Traditional Irish carol (12th century)

Performed by the Palestrina Choir of St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3szyPMwuDC8

Good people all, this Christmas time,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done

In sending his beloved son

With Mary holy we should pray,

To God with love this Christmas Day

In Bethlehem upon that morn,

There was a blessed Messiah born

The night before that happy tide

The noble Virgin and her guide

Were long time seeking up and down

To find a lodging in the town

But mark right well what came to pass

From every door repelled, alas

As was foretold, their refuge all

Was but a humble ox's stall

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep

To whom God's angel did appear

Which put the shepherds in great fear

Arise and go, the angels said

To Bethlehem, be not afraid

For there you'll find, this happy morn

A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born

With thankful heart and joyful mind

The shepherds went the babe to find

And as God's angel had foretold

They did our Saviour Christ behold

Within a manger he was laid

And by his side a virgin maid

Attending on the Lord of Life

Who came on earth to end all strife

Good people all, this Christmas time,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done

In sending his beloved son

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 20

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 20

O Nata Lux

Text is a tenth century hymn

Setting by Thomas Tallis (1575)

Performed by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8a-LYXVLnQ

O nata lux de lumine,

Jesu redemptor saeculi,

Dignare clemens supplicum

Laudes precesque sumere.

O Light born of Light,

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

with loving-kindness deign to receive

suppliant praise and prayer.

Qui carne quondam contegi

Dignatus es pro perditis,

Nos membra confer effici

Tui beati corporis

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh

For the sake of the lost,

grant us to be members

of thy blessed body.

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 19

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 19

Angels We Have Heard on High

Traditional French Carol
Performed by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkroAFnQwc

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains.
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Shepherds why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tiding be
Which inspire your heavenly song.
(Refrain)

Come to Bethelehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King!
(Refrain)

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 18

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 18

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Text by James Montgomery (1816)
Hymn Tune: "Regent Square" by Henry Smart (1876)
Performed by David Glenn (with extended refrain)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBgIAFY974k

Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o'er all the earth
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth

Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King

Shepherds in the fields abiding
Watching o'er your flocks by night
God with us is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light

(Refrain)

All creation join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son
Evermore your voices raising
To th'eternal Three in One

(Refrain)

Articles of Note - Tragedy in Newtown, CT

As a Twitter user, my Twitter homepage is regularly filled with "BREAKING NEWS" tweets from the two major news organizations I follow, NBC News and the Chicago Tribune. But it quickly became clear in on Friday midday and early afternoon that Friday's breaking news would quickly be forgotten, let alone ignored.

As a teacher - indeed, as a person, but especially as a teacher - my heart breaks over the sudden and senseless loss of life in that small Connecticut town. Over two dozen families had an empty seat at the dinner table this weekend. There are twenty empty seats and six empty desks at Sandy Hook Elementary School this week. The President of the United States shed tears during his brief press conference.

What to make of it all? Naturally, the blogosphere and editorial pages were focused on this tragedy over the past few days, and this Monday morning, the reactions continued. I wondered whether I should post this collection of highlights from the many pieces I had read. After all, if we focus too much on what happened, does that not mean that the shooter has won? Would not "Monday as usual" prove our resiliency in the face of tragedy?

There is a fine line between resiliency and callousness, or pretending it did not happen. My opinion is that it is still the appropriate time for reflection, even if we do resume our normal routines this Monday. Certainly the families - and community - of Newtown need the prayers of their country. I offer, as an aid to understanding the tragedy, the following words from blogs and articles:

• Saturday morning, Jeremy Weber of Christianity Today highlighted the responses to that point to the tragedy.
• Two editorials of note from the Chicago Tribune:  "Humbled by Our Helplessness"and "The Innocents"
• Also from the Tribune, Patricia Callahan's piece, "Covering the Unimaginable" (Ms. Callahan was on staff of the Denver Post during Columbine)
• Ross Douthat of The New York Times writes a response that draws on themes of literature and the Bible
• Pastor Josh Moody offers "A Christmas Response to Newtown"
• On a related note (and beginning with the same passage of Scripture), Mark Galli of Christianity Today writes that the fallen are "not alone, nor without hope."
• Kathleen Nielson of The Gospel Coalition addresses "Where Shall We Put This Grief?"

Also, these words from a Wheaton student have been circulating on Facebook (originally posted on Friday):

Dr. Ryken gave a powerful and relevant sermon this morning in chapel about the ‘dark side of the Christmas story’ otherwise known as the Massacre of the Innocent, in which King Herod ordered the murder of every boy under the age of two in Bethlehem. He gave this sermon just

 an hour before news broke of the massacre in Newtown Connecticut in which 20 children and 6 adults were murdered. He spoke about the grief of the [mothers] in Bethlehem as well as the grief of Rachel from the book of Jeremiah, whose child had also been senselessly murdered [Rachel, wife of Jacob, died giving birth to Benjamin, as recorded in Genesis; in Jeremiah 31, the prophet metaphorically references Rachel 'weeping' for her descendants]. Dr. Ryken spoke about the ‘tidings of comfort and joy’ and the promises that those enduring unimaginable suffering can hold onto. Considering the terrible news we received this morning just after chapel, I thought I’d share some powerful [quotations] from this morning’s message:

“When God tells you to dry your tears as He told Rachel to dry her tears, He’s not saying ‘there, there, everything will be [all right].’ He’s promising to make things right. The comfort He offers is real comfort, the Joy He gives is real Joy! The weeping may last for the night but when the morning comes it is full of song.”

“This is why we were made, to give praise to God. And it is also the reason why Christmas is such a glorious time of the year. Our lives, perhaps, have been touched with sorrow. We are aware of at least some of the sorrows of our own community. But somehow the joy of Jesus breaks through. As we worship with the people of God, we find comfort in our grief. May that be God’s comfort for you this Christmas season if you are burdened with heavy trials.”

“I praise God that the Bible talks about the dark side of the Christmas story which speaks to all our sadness, but even more, for the promise of His comfort, which came to us at the first Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ who is our joy forever and ever.”

After horrific days like today and especially during the Christmas season, ‘tidings of comfort and joy’ may seem unrealistic or maybe even insulting to some. But we must take hope because these tidings ARE REAL and they are offered by someone who loves each and every one of us more than we could ever imagine! It is days like today that we must lift our hands, despite our suffering and incredible loss, praising God for His redeeming work in the world and always continuing to sing: COME LORD JESUS! COME!

Lord Jesus, be the refuge and strength that only you can be for the families of the fallen in Newtown, Connecticut. Reveal yourself to them and be near to them in the hard days ahead.

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 17

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 17

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Text by Marcus Aurelius C. Prudentius (c. 4th century), translated by John M. Neale (1854)
Hymn Tune: "Divinum Mysterium" (c. 13th century)
Performed by de Angelis Vocal Ensemble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IdFoTPZ9RM

Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

Of that birth forever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face,
Evermore and evermore!

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 16

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 16
The Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

Gaudete

Text is a Latin hymn (c. 16th century)
Tune from an unknown medieval source
Setting by Michael Engelhardt (2011)
Performed by the Anderson University Women's Chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBJ9mMd6RKI

Refrain:

Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virginie, gaudete!

Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

+++++++

Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.

The time of grace has come—
This that we have desired,
Verses of joy
Let us devoutly return.

(Refrain)

Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.

God has become man,
To the wonderment of Nature,
The world has been renewed
By the reigning Christ.

(Refrain)

Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Is passed through,
Whence the light is born,
Salvation is found.

(Refrain)

Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.

Therefore let our gathering
Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord:
Greeting to our King.

(Refrain)