Are we there yet? Well, no, not yet.

I love the season of Advent! There is that sense of anticipation, preparation, waiting – waiting for something wondrously stupendous. For me, it is a season of joyful expectancy. The days grow dark, but the Light of the world is on the way!

Besides being a time to prepare for Christmas, Advent serves as a reminder that the world still awaits the Second Coming of Jesus. So, this journey isn’t over yet.

I’ll always remember an experience I had serving as organist at a small non-liturgical church years ago during my college days. I arrived on the first Sunday of Advent to find the sanctuary festooned with garlands of twinkling holiday lights and baby Jesus already in the manger – quite a shock to my liturgical sensibilities!

As the service began, we sang one stanza of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” and thereafter it was nothing but Christmas carols. By Christmas Eve, “Silent Night” just didn’t seem so special anymore. Sometimes waiting is good.

The Church’s treasury of song for the Advent season is rich and diverse. I have selected three to share today, a tough choice given the plethora of wonderful Advent hymns.

First is the quintessential hymn of the season, “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” When we sing this hymn we join our voices with the saints imploring Jesus to return to this broken world. The exuberant outbursts of “Rejoice! Rejoice!” bring hope that with the coming of the Messiah, darkness will turn to light.

Next, we have an example of an exuberant, festive Advent hymn. “Prepare the way, O Zion” is a relative newcomer to the Episcopal Church, having first appeared in the Hymnal 1982. Its infectious joy will make you want to dance and clap your hands!

So, are we there yet? No, but I promise we will have “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve! Meanwhile, while we’re waiting, I wish you a blessed Advent!

Peter