The last Sunday in Advent has an Advent Prose verse that turns from sin to salvation and the promise that it will come soon.
Drop down, O heavens, from above,
and let the skies pour down righteousness.
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, my salvation shall not tarry:
I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions: Fear not, for I will save thee:
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy Redeemer.
Drop down, O heavens, from above,
and let the skies pour down righteousness.
But wait, there's Moore! - Magnificat
Today and the following few days before Christmas marks the last in the Patriarchs/Prophets/John/Mary model of Advent themes.
This means you get a bonus track!
I mentioned in last week's Advent Prose that we would return to the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth in the 'hill country' of Judaea - part of a mountain range sandwiched in between the Mediterranean coastal plains to the west and the desert bordering the Dead Sea. Immediately following her arrival and greeting Mary begins a monologue that has been set to music as a canticle (a song with words taken from the Bible) known as the Magnificat, or Song of Mary - being in the Bible, it's common to all branches of Christianity as far as I'm aware.
This particular setting, Moore's Second Fauxbourdon Service, was composed in 1988, for the organist and choir of Canterbury Cathedral, and is followed by the Nunc Dimittis - the song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32), associated with Candlemas, the feast that brings the wider Christmas season to a close.
Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden:
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
These last two lines, known as the Gloria or Gloria Patri, are not part of the canticle proper, but are customarily added in Western liturgical traditions.
Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
These last two lines, known as the Gloria or Gloria Patri, are not part of the canticle proper, but are customarily added in Western liturgical traditions.