Advent Songs

 This is a step away from my usual fare; instead of giving my impressions on books, I'm going to consider music in this post.

I've found in the last few years that a key theme of Advent emerges as that liturgical season progresses. Most memorably was the recent Advent where I really tuned in to the sense of longing the Israelites felt and that I, myself, feel (but towards very different things). This year, my Advent theme has been the connection between the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, and this meaning came to me through music.

A Facebook group, from which I gain the majority of my book recommendations, included several threads about Advent playlists. I knew I wasn't doing much in the way of liturgical living this Advent, but I figured I could make a point of listening primarily to Advent-y music, instead of the secular radio tunes that are typical of this time of year. So, I indulged in a free premium Spotify account (I'm going to have to remember to cancel it in February before it automatically renews with a fee) and loaded some playlists. Here were the most influential finds:

I Wonder As I Wander

This song is apparently an older song from the 1930s that I encountered for the first time this year. The singer marvels that Jesus Christ came to die for us - and how interesting it is to hear His birth not mentioned until the second and third verses of the song. The slow pace and somber melody invite the listener to reflect upon such an incredible thing - that God should stoop to such an ignoble level and die for him or her.

Handel's "Messiah"

I have not listened to this work much this year because I've been exploring other music, but I highly recommend listening to the whole work when Christmas or Easter approach. It goes through key prophecies, the birth of Christ, His Passion, and what His Resurrection means for mankind. I suppose one could listen just to the portions that concern the prophecies and Nativity, but I argue it is best to ponder the arc of salvation with this incredible piece.

Sarah Sparks' "Advent, Pt. One"

I was floored when I heard the news that Sarah Sparks, singer of my beloved "Into the Waste" album (music inspired by C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia), had dropped (the first half of???) an Advent album. Not every song is gold, but the good ones are stunning. Of particular note for their Pasch-focus are "The King, Pt. One" and "Behold the Man, Pt. One". The "Pt. One"s are tantalizing in their implications (will there be a Pt. Two? and if so, when?), but I guess that is fitting, considering Advent's focus on anticipation.

My Thoughts

I loved having the Passion be such a focus during my Advent because it shows me another reason why Christmas matters. In a society that has appropriated the trappings of a religious holiday and created a capitalist behemoth that focuses on feel-good sentiments like "goodwill" and vague goals like "spending time with loved ones," it was a refreshing reality check to encounter the hard bones that provides the frame of real meaning for this time of year. I think it is important that Christmas points to our redemption - a redemption achieved at the death and resurrection of our Lord, not at the moment of His birth into the world. As important as His birth is, these Advent songs remind us that the Cross completes the story.