Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols
Music / Singing - Performance
Sunday, December 6, 2009
5:00 PM-6:00 PM
All Saints Church
10 Irving Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Google Maps - MapQuest
The Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols begins in a twilight-darkened church, with the choir singing from a remote location. Between appropriate readings and music, the choir proceeds symbolically, pausing in stages, through the darkness into the full light of the sanctuary. Concurrently, candles are lit to symbolize the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. The procession has its origin in very early religious drama, the re-enactment of events in the history of the world's salvation under God; we draw meaning from the past by virtue of an historical reality which is operative in the present. The procession, then, becomes a living form of worship. Processions are rich in religious symbolism: the movement from darkness to light, the movement of our own spiritual journeys toward God, and our movement to the foot of the cross as we experience redemption.
As the secular season threatens to overshadow the significance of Christmas, the spiritual preparation immediately preceding Christmas is frequently ignored or lost. Advent, sometimes known as 'little Lent,' is a time of contemplative expectation, anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This Advent service is part of a spiritual preparation for Christmas. The sequence of choral music, scripture, and hymns focuses on elements of expectation and longing for the day when God's kingdom will be established on earth - and the assertion that in Christ that day has come - with the aim that when Christmas does arrive, we may better comprehend its true meaning.
The music during this service reflects a diversity of texts and compositional styles, dwelling on the miracle, mystery and power of Christ's coming. The contributions of composers and poets spanning sixteen centuries keep us mindful of the long heritage of responses to the journey of Advent, and of our present personal role in this pilgrimage. The readings reflect the two prophetic movements in Christianity: the Old Testament prophesies of the coming of the Messiah, and the advent of Christ's second coming in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians and in The Revelation to John.
Cost: Free
Suggested Audiences:
Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, College, Adult, Elders
Website: http://web.me.com/petersberton/All_Saints_Worcester_Music_Web/Welcome.html
E-mail:
candacehsmith@yahoo.com
Last Modified: September 4, 2009 at 1:36 PM
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Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols
Music / Singing - Performance
Sunday, December 6, 2009
5:00 PM-6:00 PM
All Saints Church
10 Irving Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Google Maps - MapQuest
The Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols begins in a twilight-darkened church, with the choir singing from a remote location. Between appropriate readings and music, the choir proceeds symbolically, pausing in stages, through the darkness into the full light of the sanctuary. Concurrently, candles are lit to symbolize the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. The procession has its origin in very early religious drama, the re-enactment of events in the history of the world's salvation under God; we draw meaning from the past by virtue of an historical reality which is operative in the present. The procession, then, becomes a living form of worship. Processions are rich in religious symbolism: the movement from darkness to light, the movement of our own spiritual journeys toward God, and our movement to the foot of the cross as we experience redemption.
As the secular season threatens to overshadow the significance of Christmas, the spiritual preparation immediately preceding Christmas is frequently ignored or lost. Advent, sometimes known as 'little Lent,' is a time of contemplative expectation, anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This Advent service is part of a spiritual preparation for Christmas. The sequence of choral music, scripture, and hymns focuses on elements of expectation and longing for the day when God's kingdom will be established on earth - and the assertion that in Christ that day has come - with the aim that when Christmas does arrive, we may better comprehend its true meaning.
The music during this service reflects a diversity of texts and compositional styles, dwelling on the miracle, mystery and power of Christ's coming. The contributions of composers and poets spanning sixteen centuries keep us mindful of the long heritage of responses to the journey of Advent, and of our present personal role in this pilgrimage. The readings reflect the two prophetic movements in Christianity: the Old Testament prophesies of the coming of the Messiah, and the advent of Christ's second coming in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians and in The Revelation to John.
Cost: Free
Suggested Audiences: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, College, Adult, Elders
Website: http://web.me.com/petersberton/All_Saints_Worcester_Music_Web/Welcome.html
E-mail: candacehsmith@yahoo.com
Last Modified: September 4, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Powered by the Social Web - Bringing people together through Events, Places, & Common Interests