The music of Advent

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Friday, November 29th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher. This Sunday marks the first week of Advent. Over the next four Sundays, Christians around the world will prepare for—and reflect on—the coming of Christ. At the close of each Friday program, from now till Christmas, WORLD correspondent Bonnie Pritchett will guide us through a selection of Advent hymns.

BROWN: And just a quick note, we’re creating a Spotify Playlist again this year. We’ll keep it updated throughout the month so you can find the music for your own enjoyment. We’ve included the link to that in today’s transcript at wng.org/podcasts.

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1oi8824UlZxkjFL6hXSNYT?si=1380cdd74c9f433d

BONNIE PRITCHETT: This Sunday is the first of four Advent Sundays. But kids have probably been anticipating the arrival of Christmas Day since, oh, say – October when store displays went up and commercials began airing.

For kids – the can’t-wait-for-Christmas-Day impatience can be overwhelming.

SONG: ISAIAH 9:6-7 by Adam Wright
LYRIC: For to us a child is born…

Taking time each day until Christmas to teach the meaning of Advent can, perhaps, redirect a child’s focus and help them understand what—or, rather who—we’re all waiting for.

LYRIC: And his name shall be called Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

Musician Adam Wright performs and composes under the name The Corner Room. His songs help children to learn and memorize God’s word. This song, simply called, “Isaiah 9:6-7” is from Wright’s 2020 album: Remember and Proclaim: Scripture Songs for Little Ones.

LYRIC: Prince of Peace…

CHILD SPEAKING: Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will do this…

Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy continues into chapter 11. And that’s where the band Rain for Roots picks up the story in their 2015 album Waiting Songs.

SONG: ISAIAH 11 by Rain for Roots
LYRIC: A green shoot will sprout out from Jesse. The root will grow a budding branch.

The song, titled “Isaiah 11,” paraphrases the prophet’s message about life under the rule of the servant king.

LYRIC: The good, good, King will lead them. The good, good, King will lead them. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him. The good, good King will lead them…

Fast forward about 700 years…faithfully awaiting the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy was an old priest named Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth.

An angel of God told Zechariah that Elizabeth would have a baby boy who would grow up to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. The old priest praised God at the birth of his son.

SONG: ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY by Randall Goodgame
LYRIC: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…

Randall Goodgame, creator of Slugs and Bugs Bible memorization songs, captures a portion of Zechariah’s praise in the song “Zechariah’s Prophecy” on the 2020 album Sing the Bible Family Christmas.

ANTIPHONAL SINGING: As he spoke (As he spoke) As he spoke (As he spoke) From the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, prophets from old …

Zechariah blessed God for the birth of his son, John, who did grow up to herald the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.

Now, if the kids still think waiting for Christmas Day takes forever, inform them that Zechariah and all faithful Jews had been waiting for the Messiah, roughly, 255,500 days.

Tell the kids they can probably wait just 24.

For WORLD, I’m Bonnie Pritchett

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