Musical Reflection and a Poem for Christmas Eve
The Virgin is with Child
composed by Randall DeBruyn
The Virgin is with Child
composed by Randall DeBruyn
And so we reach the final day of Advent. For today, New Pilgrim Path's sacred music advisor has chosen a beautiful meditation on Mary, the expectant mother and the Child about to be brought forth for our salvation.
The Virgin is with Child is by the American composer, Randal DeBruyn. This lovely piece is composed in the style of a Baroque aria, a solo voice accompanied by a guitar and a chorus singing the carol Es Ist Ein Ros’ as a counter subject. The soloist is Judith Meyersberg.
What a glorious way to complete our Advent journey!
TEXT
The Virgin is with child, and she shall bear a Son, and she shall call him Emmanuel.
Isaiah had foretold it, this rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Saviour
When half spent was the night.
The Virgin is with Child is by the American composer, Randal DeBruyn. This lovely piece is composed in the style of a Baroque aria, a solo voice accompanied by a guitar and a chorus singing the carol Es Ist Ein Ros’ as a counter subject. The soloist is Judith Meyersberg.
What a glorious way to complete our Advent journey!
TEXT
The Virgin is with child, and she shall bear a Son, and she shall call him Emmanuel.
Isaiah had foretold it, this rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Saviour
When half spent was the night.
This is one of best Lenten resources New Pilgrim Path has encountered in our seven years existence.
Pray As You Go is a daily audio guided prayer session provided by the English Jesuits. It includes a mix of music, a scripture reading, and short reflective questions based on Ignatian spirituality. Between 10 and 13 minutes in duration, Pray As You Go is designed to help you pray whenever you find time. For mobile devices, simply download the "Pray As You Go" app. There is the opportunity to go deeper through other prayer tools, series, retreats and resources. It's always free and always simple.
Since its founding in 2006, Pray As You Go has been adapted into ten languages and it is used 30 million times a year.
Since its founding in 2006, Pray As You Go has been adapted into ten languages and it is used 30 million times a year.
Click on the link to access this superb resource.
Pray As You Go is a daily audio guided prayer session provided by the English Jesuits. It includes a mix of music, a scripture reading, and short reflective questions based on Ignatian spirituality. Between 10 and 13 minutes in duration, Pray As You Go is designed to help you pray whenever you find time. For mobile devices, simply download the "Pray As You Go" app. There is the opportunity to go deeper through other prayer tools, series, retreats and resources. It's always free and always simple.
Since its founding in 2006, Pray As You Go has been adapted into ten languages and it is used 30 million times a year.
Since its founding in 2006, Pray As You Go has been adapted into ten languages and it is used 30 million times a year.
Click on the link to access this superb resource.
16th December: SATURDAY, WEEK TWO IN ADVENT
"There shall a star from Jacob come forth"
from Mendelssohn's Christus
One of the last works composed by Felix Mendelssohn is an unfinished oratorio Christus, which begins around the birth of the Christ Child and this text is clothed in glorious music by Mendelssohn.
There shall a star from Jacob come forth,
and a sceptre from Israel rise up,
and dash in pieces princes and nations.
As bright the star of morning gleams,
so Jesus sheddeth glorious beams
of light and consolation!
Thy Word, O Lord, radiance darting,
truth imparting, gives salvation;
Thine be praise and adoration!
from Mendelssohn's Christus
One of the last works composed by Felix Mendelssohn is an unfinished oratorio Christus, which begins around the birth of the Christ Child and this text is clothed in glorious music by Mendelssohn.
There shall a star from Jacob come forth,
and a sceptre from Israel rise up,
and dash in pieces princes and nations.
As bright the star of morning gleams,
so Jesus sheddeth glorious beams
of light and consolation!
Thy Word, O Lord, radiance darting,
truth imparting, gives salvation;
Thine be praise and adoration!
7th December: THURSDAY, WEEK ONE IN ADVENT
"Creator of the stars of night" is sung here by St John's Compline Choir.
Any time, online, self guided (but there is also an option to talk personally with a retreat guide as you make your retreat).
Through the centuries monasteries have offered spiritual and physical support and sanctuary for travellers, seekers and pilgrims, and the Benedictine nuns of Turvey Abbey in Bedfordshire, England continue that tradition online. They offer a rich variety of resources for online retreats and prayer, including the option to talk with a retreat guide digitally during a retreat.
Through the centuries monasteries have offered spiritual and physical support and sanctuary for travellers, seekers and pilgrims, and the Benedictine nuns of Turvey Abbey in Bedfordshire, England continue that tradition online. They offer a rich variety of resources for online retreats and prayer, including the option to talk with a retreat guide digitally during a retreat.
James Finley is a former Trappist monk who studied closely with Thomas Merton. He is the author of Thomas Merton's Palace of Nowhere.
"We tend to treat ourself the way we were treated". In a two hour online talk, Dr Finley walks participants through spiritual dimensions of the Gospels, showing us how they can guide and empower us to heal the traumas in our minds and hearts. In doing so, we can open ourselves to the Gospels’ spiritual depth of healing and our innate mercy toward ourselves, others, and all living things.
Click on the image above to access.
"We tend to treat ourself the way we were treated". In a two hour online talk, Dr Finley walks participants through spiritual dimensions of the Gospels, showing us how they can guide and empower us to heal the traumas in our minds and hearts. In doing so, we can open ourselves to the Gospels’ spiritual depth of healing and our innate mercy toward ourselves, others, and all living things.
Click on the image above to access.
18th December: Fourth Sunday in Advent
O Adonai
O Adonai
Today we hear the title O Adonai. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, the name of God is so sacred that it is never pronounced, but replaced by an alternative name. Adonai is one such alternative.
O Lord Eternal and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power. Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
O Lord Eternal and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power. Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
19th December: Monday in Advent Week Four
On December 17th the Gospel was the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham. Joseph, the husband of Mary, is of the House of David. Thus this list of the generations firmly roots Jesus both as a human being and of the royal house.
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall say: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall say: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.