December 22, 2024

The prelude is based on the hymn "Awake, awake, for night is flying" (tune name, "Wachet auf"), and is a set of variations by the American Lutheran composer of organ and choral music, Paul Manz (1919-2009).  This is a very popular hymn from the 16th century, and we will sing it before the Gospel reading.  Note this harmonization is by J. S. Bach.  Depending on time, I will play 2 or all 3 of the variations by Manz as a prelude to the service.

Our processional hymn, 56 -- "O come, O come, Emmanuel"-- may be the most iconic and most loved Advent hymn.  We will sing verses 1-3, and 7 & 8; you might note in the hymnal that various verses are suggested for different dates, and that verse 8 repeats verse 1.  As you may note, it's another hymn that has survived something on the order of 600 years.

Our beautiful anthem is by the English composer, Andrew Carter (b. 1939); he wrote both the words and music for this "Mary's Magnificat".  Diane Crisp sings a difficult but beautiful and expressive solo within the work.  The well educated Mr. Carter was born into a musical family, but not the average one-- a family of bell tower and handbell ringers!

During communion-- last chance to sing more Advent hymns-- 437, "Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord" (This hymn we do sing occasionally during the year), and 66, "Come, thou long-expected Jesus" (And this tune is used for 2 other texts in our hymnal).

Closing, we will sing "Blest be the King whose coming is in the name of God", 74; yes, this is the tune used for the Palm Sunday hymn, "All glory, laud, and honor". You know it well!

The postlude is another setting of "Wachet auf" (the prelude and Gospel hymn); this is by the contemporary American composer-organist-popular clinician, Michael Burkhardt, whose music I often play.