Sunday, December 17, 2017

Lift up thy voice with strength

Today is Gaudete Sunday, the day when we take a step away from the spiritual preparation for Christmas and invite joy into our lives. It’s a precursor to the joy we’re meant to take of the Messiah’s birth.

The “Gaudete” comes from today’s introit, “Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, Gaudete.” Which is to say, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice”. Today we add the rose candle to the purple ones on the Advent wreath to emphasize this shift.

The natural piece would be “Gaudete”, but since I did that a few years ago, I’ll skip it this time. And last year I gave you “Rejoice greatly” (from Messiah) and “Rejoice in the Lord Alway”, so they’re out. However…

Let's hear “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion”, also from Messiah. Because, after all, it’s those good tidings that we’re meant to rejoice over.” Here’s the Swedish mezzo Anne-Sofie von Otter singing it:




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