If you’re a member of a Christian church with a liturgical calendar, you know that we’re smack dab in the middle of Advent. There are no Christmas decorations up, and the vestments and altar linens are purple, or in the case of some churches like mine, blue. Blue is a symbol of hope and while both Advent and Lent are preparatory seasons for the great feasts which follow them, some parishes use blue to differentiate between them.
Another feature that Advent and Lent share is that the penultimate Sunday of the season is a Rose Sunday, and features the options of rose-colored vestments and options. It’s a Sunday to relax a little, and to rejoice in the hope and anticipation of what is ahead. You see that reflected in the rose-colored candle in Advent wreaths, too.
There is also special music for both seasons, and last year I highlighted a few of my favorite Advent hymns. Since it’s that time of year again, here’s another round.
Here’s an Advent plainsong hymn that dates back to the 7th century:
Here’s an almost jaunty one:
I chose that video because it is a like a mini-movie: the woman in the beginning going up the main aisle as the altar procession is coming forward, the acolytes remembering to light both of their torches first, the kids from Sunday school streaming in, the people in the congregation singing or resolutely NOT singing, and the presiding minister and the choir all joyously into the music. The descant for the sopranos is also a nice touch.
This is a 13th or 14th century Basque carol about the annunciation. It’s quieter than the previous one and very beautiful:
Here’s a modern Advent hymn which draws on these older traditions:
Here’s a mixture of a 17th century French carol tune and a 20th century poem:
I’ll close this post with another minor key Advent hymn:
