Advent music

NICK EICHER, HOST: This weekend marks the beginning of the season of Advent: The 4 weeks before Christmas set aside for faithful reflection and preparation.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: From now until Christmas, we’re ending each of our Friday programs with an Advent music selection. These recordings come from a handful of Bible schools, seminaries, and Christian Universities. Paul Butler is our guide.

PAUL BUTLER, REPORTER: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is one of the most well-loved advent hymns of all time. The text is from an 8th century Latin poem sung antiphonally. A metrical version appeared in the 13th century, and was translated into English by J.M. Neale in 1851. Each of the verses expounds on a name for Messiah. The song is a plaintive prayer for God’s promised coming and comfort.

But for last year’s televised Baylor University Christmas program…

MUSIC: [Intro]

…Director of Church Music Randall Bradley commissioned composer Jordan Tucker to arrange this upbeat rendition of the song. Here’s “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” sung by the Baylor Men’s Choir. The piece has been edited to fit our available space.

MUSIC: [O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL]

(Photo/S.H.P., Flickr)

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