'O Come O Come Emmanuel" is a sign that the Advent season is here at
last! While radio stations and internet networks blast Christmas
music 24/7, the Church concentrates on Advent's message of Jesus's
first coming, as a child in Bethlehem, and his second coming, at the
end of time.
In addition to the aforementioned tune, I believe another great song
for Advent is Marty Haugen's "People Look East," in which the people
are told to prepare for "The crowning of the Year," when Jesus shall
come to bring us redemption and cheer. We're to preare our houses
and set the table for "Love the Guest," as Jesus is referred to. The
furrows are to prepare for the flower that is "Love Rhe Rose." And
the Angels are to herald the coming of "Love the Lord." He is all
these things and more.
Back in the mid-1990s, a priest named Francis O'Brien came up with
the tune "The Lord of Glory." The song speaks of anticipation of
Jesus coming to Bethlehem, as the prophets of long ago foretold. We
would be healed and our broken hearts would be mended. Of course,
the day has yet to come when Earth will follow in Jesus's way. But
when we see the poor and helpless around them, we are to reach to
them and give our time, talent & treasure to help them. In this way,
Jesus is "born to us" again and again.
And finally, a wonderful Advent hymn to close the liturgy is "The
KIng Shall Come When Morning Dawns," in which Jesus shall come in the
morning and bring us His joy to all the world. This time, he will
come in glory and power to set the people free.
In Advent, we focus not so much on the first coming of Christ as we
do at his second. Nevertheless, they are both very important, since
Christ is the centerpiece of all humanity throughout the world. And
I think that this music calls to take time out from the hustle and
bustle of the holiday season to reflect on what Christmas is really
all about-Jesus's birth in a manger, and his coming again when
recorded time has ceased to exist.
"Hail, Christ the Lord, thy people pray,
Come quickly, King of Kings!"
To be continued...