For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
The holiday season is a rich time of singing. Through Advent, I relish the ancient hymns of promise and enjoy the singing of carrols. Even the radio offers channels overflowing with holiday classics new and old to get us all in the Christmas Spirit. What kinds of songs would expectant Mary have sung to Jesus? Perhaps some of the ancient psalms and songs from scripture. Perhaps inspired original compositions like the Magnificat. I find it helpful to think of Mary singing as I sing the songs of the season. Imagining Mary helps me remember that I am singing to a person, Emmanuel, "God with Us." During this season, we all sing of hope not yet fully realized and promises not yet fulfilled. But we also sing to Jesus—the Messiah who was and is and is yet to come. Let us raise our voices to Him in hope and joy.
This was a digital illustration or the Rejoice! series companion video. In this illustration, Mary rests in the morning while contemplating and embracing the Holy child she carries. The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle. In addition to our already busy schedules, we cram in gift buying, parties and other holiday traditions. Advent, however, is a time of preparation and waiting. May we never forget to pause and rest during the Advent season. May we take time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah For Unto Us A Child Is Born For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government Shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain: O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold you God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah And He Shall Purify And He shall purify the sons of Levi, That they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah But Who May Abide But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. (Malachi 3:2)
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah Thus Saith The Lord Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: -Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; And I will shake all nations; And the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, Even the messenger of the covenant, Whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah And The Glory Of The Lord And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it Together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5)
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah Every Valley Shall Be Exalted Every valley shall be exalted, And every mountain and hill made low, The crooked straight and the rough places plain. (Isaiah 40:4)
An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah Comfort Ye, My People Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, That her warfare is accomplished, That her Iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway For our God. (Isaiah 40:1-3)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Our choir has the privilege to sing John Rutter's Requiemthis spring. One of my favorite pieces in this work is Pie Jesu. The full text in english is: Blessed Jesus, Lord I pray, in Thy mercy, Grant them rest. Grant them rest eternal. Lord our God, I pray Thee, Lord our God, We pray Thee, Grant them everlasting rest. It is a beautiful song with haunting undertones overcome by ascending grace. The song makes a most beautiful prayer. To paint it, I wanted to capture the mixture of deep longing, communal faith and brilliant hope. The painting is also a theological mix of interaction between a community of faith and God. The highest and most beautiful parts of the soprano solo are represented with the bright yellow streak ascending upward. It makes for a nice blending of both personal and corporate prayer. Although a requiem is mainly intended for loved ones who have passed on, the song and the painting are an expression for all prayers—especially prayers for intercession and peace.
What is your source? What grounds you and keeps you sane during the week? What gives you a sense of identity, purpose and belonging? My source is in God. It is faith in God that gives me courage, strength and freedom. In God, I find belonging, identity and calling. This is an abstract exploring the concept of source. It resembles water trailing down a rocky hillside from an unseen source above. In the painting, there is strength and grace as well as mystery and certainty.
The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
There are many different texts for the O Antiphons. For this series, I'm using the verses to they hymn "O Come Emmanuel" which lyrically contains all of the O Antiphons.
O come, thou King of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy strife and discord cease and fill the world with heaven's peace.
"O" Antiphons series.
The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
There are many different texts for the O Antiphons. For this series, I'm using the verses to they hymn "O Come Emmanuel" which lyrically contains all of the O Antiphons.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.
"O" Antiphons series.
The Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
There are many different texts for the O Antiphons. For this series, I'm using the verses to they hymn "O Come Emmanuel" which lyrically contains all of the O Antiphons.