"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Words are a twelfth century Latin hymn translated to English by John M. Neale, 1851
Music is based on plainsong, with harmonization by Thomas Helmore, 1854
Anna Hawkins sings select verses in English and Hebrew from her album Divine (Southbound, 2015). Texts and translations in the video description at YouTube.com.
Readings
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it
With justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (ESV)
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
