You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.
Gathering
For me it wouldn't be Advent if you didn't begin with O come, O come Emmanuel (CH 273 / MP 493). The simplicity of the plainchant melody has allowed people to experiment with it in many different styles and it can even work very well unaccompanied. If you are looking for some inspiration or a video to use in an online service then try Enya, Pentatonix, Punch Brothers, Sufjan Stevens, or Lincoln Brewster. Some other options which could set the tone for the season well are Hear, O Israel (Getty / CCLI) which could be used as a call to worship, All who are thirsty (MP 1025 / CCLI), and Come, thou long-expected Jesus (CH 472 / MP 102).
If you are using an Advent candle lighting song then Christmas is coming (CH 282 / CP 34) and Advent candles tell their story (STF 165 / link) are good options for the pattern of Hope, the Prophets, John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary, while Hope is a candle, once lit by the prophets (CH 284) and We are a people of hope (GWA 90 / Hope) work well for the Hope, Peace, Love, Joy themes.
Word
You might like to use a short Advent song before the reading of scripture. This is a good opportunity to give some musical continuity to the season, either by using the same song each week or by using songs in a similar style. The following songs all have a similar text, praying for Jesus to come, but use a mix of English, Latin and Aramaic: Maranatha (GWA 92 / MV 19), Come, come Emmanuel (link), Veni, veni (WGRG), and Veni Immanuel (WGRG). There are also some settings of plainchant which can work well here as continuity through the season, with the simplicity of the music allowing an opportunity for the power of the words to really sink in. The Advent Prose (NEH 501) is widely sung throughout Advent while O heavenly Word of God on high (NEH 2) would be another option.
There are not many options for this week’s psalm but the Scottish Psalter gives us a very useful text with Lord, teach me all your ways (CH 21) and Garelochside is a wonderful tune for this. Even if you don’t include a psalm every week this text would be appropriate for singing before the reading of scripture. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Hope) is another possibility also set to the classic Scottish psalm tune Martyrdom. The lyrics of I lift my soul to you, O God (WGRG) make it worth considering but the tune is perhaps not the most intuitive to pick up so may be best sung by a soloist. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (PFAS 25A / GIA) would be a good option for singing the psalm responsorially.
Response
The Gospel focuses on being ready for Christ’s coming and you could use songs such as Christ is coming! let creation (CH 475), People look East. The time is near (CH 281), Now the heavens start to whisper (GWA 98 / GIA), The days are surely coming (GIA) which can also be sung to Llangloffan, and Take heart (GWA 93 / Resound) which is a great song for any cello or bass players. Wait for the Lord (CH 276) and Word of the Father (CH 480) are two beautiful short songs which would also work well and which could be used as prayer responses.
The Epistle can broaden this theme to a more personal response to waiting for Christ coming again and how we respond in our lives with songs such as Waiting here for you (CCLI), Come again (CCLI) and View the present through the promise (CH 479), with Sine Nomine a possible alternative tune for the latter.
If you didn’t begin with O come, O come Emmanuel (CH 273 / MP 493) then it would also be appropriate to link to Jeremiah with its mention of “a righteous Branch to spring up for David”. Other songs which can link to this include the classic Advent hymns Lo, how a rose e’er blooming (Hymnary), O righteous branch (link) and Hail to the Lord’s anointed (CH 474 / MP 204), the latter of which has alternative versions by New Scottish Hymns (New Scottish) and Indelible Grace (link).
Sending
Lo, he comes with clouds descending (CH 477 / MP 424) is one of the great Advent hymns and would make for a very appropriate ending while Days of Elijah (MP 1012 / CCLI) would also pick up on Christ coming in the clouds but in a totally different style. Other songs anticipating the coming of Christ would also work, such as 'Thy kingdom come!' - on bended knee (CH 473), Everlasting God / Strength will rise (GWA 142 / CCLI), Advent hymn (CCLI) or The time has come (WGRG) which is set to Sussex Carol and sends us out preparing to "protest, praise and dance".
Comentarios