Categories: uncategorized
Date: 08 December 2006 17:22:13
I love Advent Sunday - the start of a new Church Year and all that pregnant expectancy. The new chorister who received her surplice today lit the first advent candle at the Eucharist. One of the altos complained that the anthem, 'Zion Hears the Watchmen's Voices' ('Wachet Auf' - Bach) sounded like a dirge, but of course it was a wonderful chance for the twiddly organist to have the glory for a change. We were merely the old drones to his delicate interweaving.
The Advent Carol Service by Candlelight was magical, as usual. Palestrina's 'Matin Responsory' began the proceedings, which were interspersed with various Advent carols and anthems such as 'Adam Lay Ybounden' (Ord), 'Joseph and the Angel' (Terry), 'The Truth Sent from Above' (arr. Vaughan Williams), and ending with 'People Look East' (arr. Bramma) sung from the High Altar and a recessional hymn, 'Lo, He comes with clouds Descending' to propel us back to the vestry (and, indeed, to the mince pies and mulled wine) in style.