23rd December THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Emmanuel - O God-with-us
This setting is by Arvo Pärt, sung by Theatre of Voice, conducted by Paul Hillier.
The final antiphon, O Emmanuel, reminds us that Jesus comes among us as God in human form, the image of the invisible God. He is called Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us.
Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the one whom the peoples await, and their saviour. O Come and save us, Lord our God. Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus, come.
22ND December WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Rex Gentium - O King of Nations
Performed here by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.
Today our title is O King of Nations. This is a modern setting by the very popular Estonian composer Arvo Pärt who has set all seven antiphons in the German language. It is performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, directed by Tönu Kaljuste.
O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay. Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
21st December TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Oriens - O Radiant Dawn
Sung here by The Sixteen in a setting by Sir James MacMillan
Today is the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. We recall the words of Isaiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light. From today onwards the days begin to lengthen in the northern hemisphere as we head back towards summer!
O Radiant Dawn, Splendour of Eternal Light, Sun of Justice, come shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
O Radiant Dawn. Amen.
20th December MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Clavis David - O Key of David.
This setting is by Sir John Stainer and is sung by the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
The First Reading today tells of David’s desire to build a house for the Arc of the Lord. However, the Lord says I will make you a House…your throne will be established for ever.
O Key of David,6 and Sceptre of the house of Israel; That openest, and no man shutteth; and shuttest and no man openeth: come, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death!
19th December 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
O Radix Jesse - O Root of Jesse
This setting is by Sir John Stainer and is sung by the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
On December 17 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.
18th December Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
O Adonai - O Lord
Sung here by Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
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.
The setting we hear today is by the Anglo-Canadian composer James Healey Willan (1880-1968). He composed over 800 works throughout his life, including operas, symphonies and chamber music, pieces for band, organ and piano. Hoewver, he is best known for his religious music.
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.
17th December Friday of the Third Week of Advent
O Sapientia - O Wisdom
This setting is by the English composer Sir John Stainer, performed by the The Choir of the Abbey School Tewkesbury.
Today, we begin the great 'O' antiphons. These short chants address Christ with seven magnificent Messianic titles, one for each of the final days of Advent, based on the Old Testament prophecies. The first of these is O Sapientia - O Wisdom.
TEXT
O Wisdom, Which camest forth out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things; Come and show us the way of understanding.
O Emmanuel - O God-with-us
This setting is by Arvo Pärt, sung by Theatre of Voice, conducted by Paul Hillier.
The final antiphon, O Emmanuel, reminds us that Jesus comes among us as God in human form, the image of the invisible God. He is called Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us.
Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the one whom the peoples await, and their saviour. O Come and save us, Lord our God. Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus, come.
22ND December WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Rex Gentium - O King of Nations
Performed here by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.
Today our title is O King of Nations. This is a modern setting by the very popular Estonian composer Arvo Pärt who has set all seven antiphons in the German language. It is performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, directed by Tönu Kaljuste.
O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay. Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
21st December TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Oriens - O Radiant Dawn
Sung here by The Sixteen in a setting by Sir James MacMillan
Today is the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. We recall the words of Isaiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light. From today onwards the days begin to lengthen in the northern hemisphere as we head back towards summer!
O Radiant Dawn, Splendour of Eternal Light, Sun of Justice, come shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
O Radiant Dawn. Amen.
20th December MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
O Clavis David - O Key of David.
This setting is by Sir John Stainer and is sung by the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
The First Reading today tells of David’s desire to build a house for the Arc of the Lord. However, the Lord says I will make you a House…your throne will be established for ever.
O Key of David,6 and Sceptre of the house of Israel; That openest, and no man shutteth; and shuttest and no man openeth: come, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death!
19th December 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
O Radix Jesse - O Root of Jesse
This setting is by Sir John Stainer and is sung by the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
On December 17 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.
18th December Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
O Adonai - O Lord
Sung here by Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
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.
The setting we hear today is by the Anglo-Canadian composer James Healey Willan (1880-1968). He composed over 800 works throughout his life, including operas, symphonies and chamber music, pieces for band, organ and piano. Hoewver, he is best known for his religious music.
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.
17th December Friday of the Third Week of Advent
O Sapientia - O Wisdom
This setting is by the English composer Sir John Stainer, performed by the The Choir of the Abbey School Tewkesbury.
Today, we begin the great 'O' antiphons. These short chants address Christ with seven magnificent Messianic titles, one for each of the final days of Advent, based on the Old Testament prophecies. The first of these is O Sapientia - O Wisdom.
TEXT
O Wisdom, Which camest forth out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things; Come and show us the way of understanding.