by Lillian Quakenbush
Every good story begins with a “teaser” of what should not only engage us but in some way change us. As Presbyterians we have been greatly blessed with the addition of our new hymnal, carefully, prayerfully and joyfully assembled to help us remember, reclaim and retell our story. If we think of the Advent season as the “teaser” that opens our story, we can use this wonderful resource to help our congregations truly prepare their minds and hearts for the coming of Christ.
But selecting hymns for each Sunday’s lectionary texts can seem daunting, especially during Advent and Lent, when the texts move us toward solemnity and introspection. Consequently, during Advent, we often prefer to rush into using the familiar Christmas tunes. Within the sections of the hymnal “Glory to God” are 26 hymns devoted to Advent and 49 hymns labeled “Jesus Christ: Birth,” so there are many options from which to choose, even considering the inevitable repetition which will occur over a 3-year lectionary cycle. We could debate the issues surrounding the old “Advent vs. Christmas” choices, but instead, I offer the following suggestions for your consideration this Advent/Christmas season as a way of helping our congregations remember, reflect and rejoice as we sing the story of the prophecy, announcement and fulfillment of God’s covenant.
This first Sunday in Advent brings news from Jeremiah that God’s promise to Israel will indeed be fulfilled, so you might choose the very familiar and beautiful #129 “Lo, How a Rose;” then use David’s words from Psalm 25 found in #104 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” as a prayer of petition; and finish the service with #357 “The Days Are Surely Coming,” which has a lovely Welsh folk melody.
The second Sunday recalls Malachi’s words about the messenger. There are two tunes available for Charles Wesley’s text “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” either of which make a great opening for worship. A nice addition to the service would be #92 “While We Are Waiting, Come” as a prayer for illumination and then possibly finish the service with the Song of Zechariah, #109 “Blest Be the God of Israel” set by Hal Hopson.
For the third Sunday we hear words of comfort from Zephaniah, so a good upbeat way to start the service would be to use #87 “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” and then cross over into the section on Jesus’ birth for #120 “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” to use as the assurance of pardon. The closing hymn #107 “Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn” will send your congregation dancing out the door.
The final Sunday in Advent brings us even closer to the sights and sounds of Jesus’ birth, complete with angels and shepherds, so a wonderful way to begin would be either #119 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” or an alternative gospel style that incorporates that text with another, #127 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing with Jesus the Light of the World.” Also for this annunciation Sunday there is a lovely new hymn #101 “No Wind at the Window” with an exceptional text that is worth exploring and a tune that is not hard to sing. You might finish the service on a quieter note with #121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
The options for Christmas Eve are endless, though I hope you will look at #125 “Before the Marvel of This Night” if you don’t already know and love it.
Don’t give up on those Christmas hymns until at least the first Sunday after the New Year. Folks may be tired of the ones they’ve heard in every mall over the holidays, but I’ll bet they haven’t heard #153 “In Bethlehem A Newborn Boy” or #154 “Jesus Entered Egypt,” both of which help us remember that the birth was only the beginning and there is so much of the story left to tell and live!
LILLIAN QUACKENBUSH served as director of music at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, retiring in May after 24 years. She currently is completing her 20th year as artistic director of the Sandlapper Singers and is serving as interim director of the Columbia Choral Society.
