Musical Advent Calendar - Day 7

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 7

God is With Us

Text (based on Isaiah 9) and Music by John Tavener (1897)

Performed by the Choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcJCNrU6frY

God is with us.

Hear, ye people,

Even to the uttermost ends of the earth.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.

The people that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them has light shined.

For unto us a Child is born! Unto us a Son is given!

And the government shall be upon his shoulder,

And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God,

The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Hear, ye people,

Even to the uttermost ends of the earth.

Christ is born!

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 6

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 6

What Child is This

Text by William C. Dix (c. 1865)

Hymn Tune: "Greensleeves," a traditional English melody (c. 16th cent.), harmonized by John Stainer (1871)

Performed by Josh Groban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmRUlKbF7g

What Child is this, who laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant, king, to own him

The King of kings salvation brings

Let loving hearts enthrone him

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The Babe, the Son of Mary

Raise, raise the song on high

His mother sings her lullaby

Joy! Joy, for Christ is born

The Babe, the Son of Mary

(Refrain)

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 5

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 5

Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah

Text and Music by Michael W. Smith and David R. Hamilton (2007)

Performed by Michael W. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISSjwl0geO4

Come behold this Child in the manger
Gift of the Father's great love
Angels look down as his glory surrounds them
Starlight From Heaven above

Sing Noel! Sing Hallelujah!
God in us now come to dwell
Sing noel! Lift high his praises
Christ, our Emmanuel
Christ, our Emmanuel

Lift up your heads all who wander in darkness
Shine for your light has come
Down through the ages though sins battle rages

Christ the Messiah has won

Sing Noel! Sing Hallelujah!
Come adore on bended knee
Sing noel! Lift high his praises
Christ, come to set us all free
Christ, come to set us all free

Let every daughter and son of the Father
Rise on this Christmas night
Let every voice sing all praise and rejoicing
Christ, our Redeemer, is born

Sing Noel! Sing Hallelujah!
All creation great and small
Sing noel! Lift high His praises
Christ come to save us all

Sing Noel! Sing Hallelujah!
All creation great and small
Sing noel! Lift high his praises
Christ, come to save us all
Christ, come to save us all

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 4

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 4

Magnifcat

Text from Luke 1:46
Setting by Johann Sebastian Bach, BWV 243 (1733)
Performed by the Monteverdi Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuYTm1xuDLM

Magnificat anima mea Dominum
My soul doth magnify the Lord