Listening to Advent

Whatever happened to Advent?

Indeed, Black Friday would have us believe that Christmas is already here, that somehow we've fast-forwarded through an entire month! And as much as I love "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" or Nat King Cole's velvety voice (you know which song I'm referring to) as much as the next person, let's not forget that 'tis the season for waiting, preparation and joyous expectation.

So, here it is: your Advent playlist from various traditions with brief commentary.

1. A Maiden Most Gentle

Written by Andrew Carter, an Anglican, this increasingly popular hymn reflects on the mother of the Jesus. Sometimes we forget to reflect on the fact that Jesus was born. To a woman. This issue rocked the early church and was a source of intense debate for many years. In the end, the universal church declared the Virgin Mary to be "bearer of God."

2. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This classic, familiar hymn was published in 1744 by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley, who founded the Methodist Church. Charles Wesley was a prolific hymnist, publishing over 6,000 hymns, and penned many of our most familiar hymns, including as "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

3. In The Bleak Mid-Winter

 Based on a poem by 19th century English poet Christina Rossetti, the lyrics merge past and present. While we don't actually the true historical date that Jesus was born (no, he wasn't actually born on December 25th), our own mid-winter celebration of the birth of the Christ becomes part of the nativity narrative. The poem is a reminder that we don't merely prepare for some phantom but the true, living Jesus. English Composer Gustav Holst set the poem to music in the early 20th century. 

4. Creator Of The Stars And Night

This ancient hymn was originally composed in Latin during the 7th century. We don't often think to reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus at Advent, but, according to the long tradition of Christian understanding, this was why Jesus came in the first place. This solemn hymn is a reminder of that:

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death an universe,
Hast found the med’cine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruin’d race.

5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Like "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," this hymn is the great indicator for many church-folk that Advent has arrived. Have you ever paid attention to the words, though? Israel is lonely in their captivity and exile. But there's this eternal promise which is looked for. Wisdom will come from On High.

6. The King Shall Come

To close out our playlist, I've chosen this hymn by Presbyterian hymnist John Browlie. This beautiful hymn should be allowed to speak for itself:

The King shall come when morning dawns,
And light triumphant breaks;
When beauty gilds the eastern hills,
And life to joy awakes.

Not as of old, a little child
To bear, and fight, and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun,
That lights that morning sky.

O, brighter than the rising morn,
When He, victorious rose,
And left the lonesome place of death,
Despite the rage of foes;—

O, brighter than that glorious morn,
Shall this fair morning be,
When Christ, our King, in beauty comes,
And we His face shall see.

The King shall come when morning dawns,
And earth’s dark night is past;—
O, haste the rising of that morn,
That day that aye shall last.

And let the endless bliss begin,
By weary saints foretold,
When right shall triumph over wrong,
And truth shall be extolled.

The King shall come when morning dawns,
And light and beauty brings;—
Hail! Christ the Lord; Thy people pray
Come quickly, King of kings.