And again I say rejoice

Oh, Lord—is that the time? Yes, yes, it is. Gaudete Sunday, the day when the contemplative preparation of Advent allows itself a bit of full-on wriggling, tailwagging joyfulness.

So today we’re getting something from the 17^th Century English composer, Henry Purcell, “Rejoice in the Lord Alway”. This piece is sometimes referred to as the bell anthem, because of the way the vocal parts emulate a peal of bells.

But if that’s not enough joy for you, how about “Rejoice Greatly”, from Messiah by Handel? There are plenty of sopranos out there singing this, but I rather like Kathleen Battle’s interpretation—she captures the eager anticipation that we should feel on this Sunday.