The four weeks preceding Christmas are a time both of reflection and of joy, anticipating the arrival of the Christ, both in fact and in the hearts of Christians.

December 25 being the traditional date in the Western Church for the celebration of the “Christ Mass,” the period leading up to this important festival encourages the Christian to prepare in expectation of perhaps the second greatest event in history, only superseded in the Christian year by the resurrection itself.

While unavoidably intertwined with the spirit of the Christmas season, Advent has its own essence, often considered a more introspective period. The very nature of what is anticipated, however, the arrival of the King of Kings, the God of Love, spills over to color the season with a duality that is understandably inescapable.

Advent is also the first event in the Church’s annual calendar, a new beginning, a fresh start for the heart to rid itself of previous baggage and look forward with optimism and hope. It is a time for forgiveness, for welcoming the Christ into a cleared and waiting heart, for a renewed and kinder approach to the future.

The image of a newborn child could hardly be a better symbol for this season. Completely innocent, newness personified, a beginning life with untold promise ahead — the connection is gripping in its humanity, and it is no mystery why this time is so popular with both believers and observers.

The collection presented here consists of arrangements of a mixture of familiar hymns and hymns less well known, with all of the texts appropriate to some aspect of the season. Both the meditative and the rejoicing aspects of Advent are represented.

The registrations suggested are mere guides to the organist, with actual decisions relating to balance, contrast and overall effect left to the discerning ear of the musician.

WACHET AUF
WINCHESTER NEW
ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN
HYFRYDOL
ABERYSTWYTH
OLD 120TH
BEREDEN VÄG FOR HERRAN
VENEZ DIVIN MESSIE
PLEADING SAVIOR
ERMUNTRE DICH
CONDITE ALME SIDERUM
ABER
OLD FORTY-SECOND
AUF MEINEN LEBEN GOTT
SHEFFIELD
NUM KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND