Advent...

Well, Advent is finally upon us. It is less sombre than Lent, and the Church, even as the Gnomes standing upon the high walls of Gondolin watching for the dawn with expectancy, and to raise their voices in song at its uplifting, too waits for the coming of Christ, the liturgical Sun and the Sun of Justice. It is a liturgical season of rather blended feelings; on the one hand, the use of violet colour Vestments reminds us of our penance and the sorrow of the Church Militant unites itself to the sorrow of the old Israelites awaiting the Messias (indeed it behoves us all to unite ourselves to the old Israelites in asking God for the Christ-child), but on the other hand, the Church ceases not to say Alleluia in the Liturgy of the Mass, nor wholly to assuage gladness in the Sanctorale. As Dom Prosper put it: ''This is the reason why the Alleluia accompanies even her sighs, and why she seems to be at once joyous and sad, waiting for the coming of that holy night which will be brighter to her than the most sunny of days, and on which her joy will expel all her sorrow.'' (The Liturgical Year, Volume I, Advent).

I wish all readers a solemn and blessed Season of Advent. Follow this link to listen to the Tallis Scholars sing Byrd's Vigilate, an excellent motet for Advent. I tried to upload it but it didn't work...