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