Pastor of Spiritual Formation at First Baptist Church, SLO (www.fbcslo.org). Working on figuring out how a local church community can move toward a healthy, Gospel-centered rhythm of spiritual disciplines, community and missional presence. Sure that, whatever it looks like practically, the mechanism is "beholding the glory of the Lord."
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Advent songs
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Silent nights, chestnuts roasting on open fires, bleak midwinter and silver bells.
Trick is, it's not Christmas. It's Advent. Our culture has rushed us into a premature Christmas fixation, mostly because it sells things.
Real conversation between myself and Caleb Porter, Aaron's son, well before Thankgiving:
Caleb: Why does that store already have Christmas decorations? It's not even Thanksgiving!
Ben: Because they want your money, Caleb.
Caleb: Oh...
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against Christmas music, so long as it's played between the Friday after Thanksgiving and January 6 (Epiphany). But what does frustrate me is how we've forgotten Advent songs.
Why does this concern me? Well, mainly because Advent songs give voice to the longing and need for Christ that I've been discussing over the past few posts. Christmas songs rejoice in fulfillment; Advent songs look toward what is still unfulfilled. We need both.
So, in an effort to promote Advent celebration everywhere, here is a list of some of my favorite Advent hymns, and links to newer recordings of them. Enjoy!
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Bebo Norman
- Night Heron Consort [instrumental]
- Sufjan Stevens
- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
- Christ Whose Glory Fills The Skies
- Of the Father's Love Begotten
- Ordinary Time
- Night Heron Consort [instrumental, Divinum Mysterium]
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
- Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor
- Veiled in Darkness
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