We are entering into the beautiful season of Advent. What does the Church say about Advent? "Advent has a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight" (Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar 39)
The music chosen for Advent reflects these two comings: "O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear." "The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks, when beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes". "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart."
We also hear the words of the prophet Isaiah as he speaks of St. John The Baptist: "A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.", and this is reflected in the music by Michael Joncas "A voice cries out in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord! A voice cries out in the wilderness: make straight a highway for God". (A Voice Cries Out)
SOME NEWS: The Christmas Concert has been postponed until next year.
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