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When planning music, always look to the Scripture readings. Liturgical music should take on the overtones of the readings. On the first two Sundays of Advent, the songs should focus on the risen Christ returning in glory at the end of time, since this is the focus of the readings during the first two weeks. However, during the final two weeks of Advent, the hymns and anthems should focus on the coming of the newborn Jesus, in accordance with the readings.
The following are a few planning resources that might be helpful as you prepare for the season. They all provide hymn and anthem suggestions, as well as insightful information for the season:
AIM: Liturgy Resources
www.wlp.jspaluch.com/8062.htmNPM Planning calendar and music suggestions (Free): will come out in a week
www.npm.org/Planning/index.html
www.npm.org/Choral_Anthem_Project/index.htmlGIA Quarterly
www.giamusic.com/products/P-GIAQ.cfmGIA Planner (you can sign up for free!)
www.giaplanner.net/Liturgia Y Cancion
www.ocp.org/lcOCP Online Tools
www.ocp.org/products/onlinetoolsToday’s Liturgy
www.ocp.org/products/TLE-141Today’s Liturgy with Children (Free)
“TLC is an online archive offering insightful articles, anthem suggestions for children’s choirs, previews of new music and more. It is especially helpful for those involved in ministry with children, including teachers, religious educators, pastors and leaders of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Articles are published three times a year.” (OCP)
www.ocp.org/articles/series/todays_liturgy_childrenRemember that these planning resources offer suggestions and not final choices. We highly encourage you to combine those suggestions with your own criteria (based on the readings) when selecting music.
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Additional Advent Music Resources
- Advent Music from GIA
http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/advent-2013.cfm
- Advent Wreath Service by John Schiavone (OCP)
- Advent Season (USCCB)
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/
- Cry Out with Joy Year A,B, or C: Music for the Liturgy of the Word (GIA)
by David Haas, Kathleen Harmon SND de N, Stephen Pishner, Paul Tate, Lori True
http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=21436
- Jesse Tree (GIA)
Advent Song and Paraliturgies for Children
By Dennis Newman
http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4548
- Nuevos Cantos para el Adviento y Navidad
By Carmelo Erdozain
http://www.ocp.org/products/9132
- Psalms for the Advent Season (WLP)
By Rev. Chrysogonus Waddell, OCSO
http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/1158.htm
- Seven Communion Chants for the Advent and Christmas Season (WLP)
By Charles Thatcher
http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/8286.htm
- The Advent of Our God (OCP)
By James Hansen
“This service for the Advent season contains easy SAB arrangements of traditional Advent carols and psalm settings, along with readings, assembly parts, optional percussion and piano overture.”
http://www.ocp.org/products/9217
- To Worship in Spirit and Truth (GIA)
A Liturgical Preparation Process for Pastoral Musicians and Liturgical Leaders
By David Haas
http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4409
- Today’s Liturgy with Children (OCP)
“TLC is an online archive offering insightful articles, anthem suggestions for children’s choirs, previews of new music and more. It is especially helpful for those involved in ministry with children, including teachers, religious educators, pastors and leaders of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Articles are published three times a year.” (OCP)
http://www.ocp.org/articles/series/todays_liturgy_children
- Within Our Hearts Be Born (OCP)
The Michael Joncas Hymnary: Advent and Christmas
By Michael Joncas
http://www.ocp.org/products/30113320
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Advent Lessons and Carols
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is very common among parishes during the Advent Season. This service which originated in the Church of England during the 19th century, and it involves nine Scripture readings (lessons), followed by a carol and a prayer.
Please visit the following link to find out more about the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/festival-of-lessons-and-carols.cfm
One of the most famous festivals of Lessons and Carols takes place every year at King’s College in Cambridge, UK. Please visit the following website for more information about their Festival and the history behind this service: