Advent is the contemplative season of waiting before the full joy of Christmas is revealed and celebrated. This liturgical season of quiet but joyful expectation has a twofold character and also marks the beginning of the new liturgical year on December 3, 2023 (Year B). It is a time of preparation for the commemoration of the First Coming of the Son of God at Christmas, and also a time of looking forward in hope to the eventual Second Coming of Christ that will come at the end of time. Although many schools across Australia will finish school by mid-December, there are ways to honour Advent and point to the new life and hope that is born into our world each Christmas. In a time when everything around us seems to want us to accelerate, Advent is a welcome reminder that giving ourselves time to prepare is a gift and a blessing.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel more specifically belongs to the final two weeks of the season of Advent but is a well-loved and known chant for this time of year. The 'O' antiphons form the basis of this ancient hymn, and these come in the final two weeks of Advent when they are sung as part of Evening Prayer and the Magnificat canticle in the Liturgy of the Hours. However, the hymn can be the sound of the season for most people across Australia, and the traditional setting is readily available. Steve Angrisano’s contemporary guitar-based setting of these beautiful words could be a welcome addition to the repertoire. There is also a Common Responsorial Psalm by Marist Brother Michael Herry that uses the traditional hymn melody. It can be sung throughout Advent and is able to be downloaded for free from the Marist Music website.
The Second Sunday of Advent is flavoured by the clear call of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare, Prepare by Stephen Pishner, which is in a Gospel style, could be another new addition. Preparen el Camino del Senor uses the same text and is used in many Hispanic communities for Advent. This hymn has a memorable melody, and all could sing along to the simple chorus, with soloists having an option to take the verses.
The last Sunday of Advent specifically turns people to Christmas and reflects on the divine mystery of Christ coming and Christ already present. All are reminded that God asks for a 'yes' from us all throughout our lives, as witnessed by Mary in such a beautiful way at the Annunciation. This gospel of Luke has also already been recently heard on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8. We are invited deeper into the life and richness of the paschal mystery in this joyful move towards Christmas. A new Australian hymn, God’s Call, picks up on how Mary’s witness as first disciple is one we are all called to follow today. What will our answer be? Another new Marian hymn, Mother Mary, Pray for Us by Sarah Hart, would also be appropriate for Advent and can be sung across the liturgical year and used in a range of prayer services.
If schools are having Masses and Carol Services before the end of the school year, including some Advent hymns as part of these services is one way to honour the season, while also recognising that Christmas is still to come.
Music References
Common Responsorial Psalm for the season of Advent: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul
free digital download from Br Michael Herry FMS at Marist Music.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Traditional)
See As One Voice, Catholic Worship Book ll, and Willow Publishing (Digital Download).
Emmanuel (Steve Angrisano)
Digital Download (OCP Octavo): https://www.ocp.org/en-us/songs/66824/emmanuel
YouTube.
Prepare, Prepare (Stephen Pishner). Digital download from OCP.
Preparen el Camino del Senor (Fernando Rodríguez, José Antonio Rubio).
Digital download from OCP.
God’s Call (Fiona Dyball). Digital download from Liturgical Song.
Mother Mary, Pray for Us (Sarah Hart) Digital download from OCP (Octavo).