Music for the First Sunday of Advent

I am taking a sabbatical from my full Musical Advent Calendar. I hope to prepare the full calendar in again for Advent 2017, but for Advent 2016, I will have a selection for each Sunday of this season. New posts in the series will be available on Saturday evenings.

Sunday, November 27 | The First Sunday of Advent

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

Words by Charles Wesley, 1744

Music by Rowland H. Prichard, c. 1830

Performed by Fernando Ortega on the album "Christmas Songs," 2008

(Song text is displayed in the video)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now and in the time of this mortal life in which your son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent

Gratitude

On this Thanksgiving Eve, some things I am thankful for (surely an incomplete list)...

Naomi, my wife
Ed and Becky, my parents
Paul, my brother
Vel and Dorothy, my grandmothers
My extended family members
Tony and Gerald, my bosses at Wheaton and Calvary, respectively
Dr. Wilder and Todd, their bosses, respectively
My colleagues at Wheaton and Calvary
My student staff at Wheaton
The orchestra members at Calvary
My friends within the Calvary Young Adults community group
Wheaton College and Calvary Memorial Church, and not just in their context as my employers
My appointment to the Executive Committee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Overture Council
The Chicago Cubs, and their 2016 season
The precious, limitless, relentless grace of God