Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols (December 1, 2024)

Prelude begins at 0:00. Service begins at 20:40.

This Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols is organized around the O Antiphons – beautiful plainchant texts which invoke the Messiah to return, sung since the 8th century at Vespers on the seven evenings leading up to Christmas. The choir gradually moves into the chancel, stopping at various stations around the Cathedral nave. Each of the biblical prophecies is expanded upon by the singing of carols, anthems, and hymns which anticipate the coming of Christ, culminating in a glorious setting of the Magnificat (The Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55) and the singing of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” the text of which is an English translation of the very O Antiphons that the choir has sung throughout the service. 

The officiant is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. Choral repertoire includes:

• The Great O Antiphons
• Judith Weir (b. 1954), Drop down, ye heavens, from above
• “Lo, he comes with clouds descending” Helmsley
• Boris Ord (1897-1961), Adam lay ybounden
• “Redeemer of the nations, come” Veni Redemptor gentium
• Paul Manz (1919-2009), E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come
• “Come, thou Redeemer of the earth” Puer nobis
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), A Spotless Rose
• “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
• Claude Goudimel (c. 1520-1572), Comfort, comfort ye my people
• “The great forerunner of the morn” The Truth from above
• Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980), O Oriens
• “The angel Gabriel from heaven came” Gabriel’s Message
• Javier Busto (b. 1949), Ave Maria
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Magnificat (Gloucester Cathedral)
• Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Jesus Christ the apple tree
• “O come, O come, Emmanuel” Veni, veni Emmanuel