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)

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 15

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 15

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow

African-American Spiritual
Performed by GLAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05nPu9NOfps

There's a star in the East on Christmas morn,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow;
It will lead to the place where Christ is born;
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow, follow,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow,
Follow the star of Bethlehem,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

Leave your sheep and leave your lambs,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow;
Leave your ewes and leave your rams,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
(Refrain)

If you take good heed to the angels' words,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow;
You'll forget your flocks, you'll forget your herds,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
(Refrain)

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 14

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 14

Jesus, Born On This Day

 

Text and Music by Mariah Carey (1994)

Performed by Mariah Carey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDMZNCdMtU8

 

Today a Child is born on earth

Today the glory of God shines everywhere

For all of the world

Oh Jesus, born on this day

He is our light and salvation

Oh Jesus, born on this day

He is the King of all nations

 

Behold the Lamb of God has

Behold the Savior is born

Sing of his love to everyone

Oh Jesus, born on this day

Heavenly Child in the manger

Oh Jesus, born on this day

He is our Lord and our Savior

 

Today our hearts rejoice in him

Today the light of his birth

Fills us with hope and brings peace on earth

Oh Jesus, born on this day

He is our light and salvation

Oh Jesus, born on this day

He is the King of all nations

 

Today a Child is born on earth

He is light, he is love, he is grace

Born on Christmas Day

etc.