Autumn is my favorite of the four seasons. It’s a time that brings us so much beauty and reason for reflection and celebration. The leaves of the trees light up for us to marvel at, reminding us to reflect on how we are ever-changing, like nature around us. In our secular and work schedules, we’ve been back into the swing of things, with enough time to get momentum in the weekly rhythm of our work lives.
Autumn ushers in Advent, a season of joyous expectation and anticipation of the coming of God into the world. It feels appropriate to be writing these words on the feast of St. Cecilia’s, patron of music, as I’ve been putting the finishing touches on the musical programming for the Sundays of Advent and for our service of Advent Lessons and Carols. Another personal favorite not just of the season, but of the year.
The choirs have been rehearsing and I so look forward to coming together to sing music that starts a new liturgical year: hymns like “O come, O come Emmanuel,” “Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding," or "Lo! he comes with clouds descending” - to name just a few. We’ll sound the season with music from well-known composers (Bach, Britten, Rachmaninoff), some who might be new (Jeanne Demessieux or Judith Weir), as well as those, like the great cathedral builders, whose names we will never know but whose work speaks as truly today as ever.
Come sing with us, pray with us, mark the time with us by lighting the candles of the Advent wreath as we enjoy a season of joyous anticipation that makes this time of year like no other.
