Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 December 2008 18:35:19
The first two Sundays in Advent passed by in a flash. We announced the coming of 'The Angel Gabriel' (arr. Llewellyn) in the morning Eucharist, then enjoyed a full-blown Advent Carol service, complete with mulled wine and mince pies, instead of evensong. Starting with 'I look from afar' (Sweeney), sung at the back, we processed through the church and up to the choir stalls, singing traditional carols plus choir favourites (Adam lay y'bounden, Truth sent from above (RVW), Zion hears the watchmen's voices (Bach), Gabriel to Mary came (arr. Willcocks) ). Finally we moved to the high altar to sing 'People look East' (arr. Bramma) and ended with 'Lo he comes with clouds descending'. It was all sung to candlelight with soft additional lighting so that we could actually see the words, and is one of the most atmospheric services of the year.
Advent 2 had Bach in the morning (Jesu, Meine Freude) and Stainer in the evening (God so loved the world). But no mince pies, unfortunately.