Singing Advent

When I was growing up, each night of Advent, we gathered around the Advent wreath my dad made.  He would lead us in the prayers and we would sing Christmas carols.  My mother says it is one of her best memories, but laments that she did not know any Advent songs back then.  Advent is a time of preparing, not celebrating, not yet.  Though even while waiting in darkness for the Christ Child, the Church longs to sing in anticipation.

This year in my own family, we are learning some Advent songs to sing around the lit wreath.  Just a few, simple ones: O Come Divine Messiah, On Jordan’s Bank, and, O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  For Christmas, to go with our Latin studies, we are also learning Adeste Fideles.   I printed the songs and slid them into page protectors to be added to our music binders.   There are so many beautiful songs to be discovered,  we hope to add a few more each Advent.

It can be challenging to get everyone on the same note and we aren’t in any danger of becoming the Von Galbraith Family Singers, but we are enjoying the singing.  We know the children’s hearts are in it, when they can be heard singing the songs or plunking them out on the piano during the course of the day.  We are making a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Comments

[Elizabeth Foss]

Bridget, I love to sing People Look East--makes me happy while I "make my house fair" as I am able. http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/people_look_east.htm

[MaryM]

Love, love, love the picture from your childhood - it really captures the essence of the post and of the time. I'm very nostalgic about old holiday photos!

[Alice Gunther]

Oh, I love this Bridget! Singing is such a huge part of this joyous season!

[Jenn Miller]

The music is such an integral part of the season. Love your post, Bridget, and especially the picture! People Look East is a favorite in my family, too. Lo, How a Rose Er Blooming is also considered an Advent hymn.

[Cheryl]

That b & w picture is great. I love to sing Advent & Christmas songs, even though my voice isn't nice imo. I always remember that a singer who came to our Church said that God gave us our voices so we shouldn't complain about them and we should use them to praise him. Anyway, I'm going to try to teach my dc some songs and carols this year. Around the wreath is a nice idea.

[Christina]

This is a great idea. It is so much harder to find Advent hymns than Christmas ones. Here is a page with some Advent hymns in English and Latin. Not too many, but it is a good starting place.

http://romaaeterna.jp/index3.html