Music and Advent

Elizabeth Gerace

Happy Thanksgiving! With the celebration of this holiday, we give thanks for our many blessings and look forward to the coming of the new liturgical season and the new liturgical year. Following the feast of Christ the King last Sunday, this Sunday marks the Church’s transition to Advent, a time of preparation and prayer to ready us for the birth of Jesus by the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as to remind ourselves to be prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus. This season of expectation shines forth brightly within the Mass, as the readings, lighting of the Advent Wreath, and vestments reflect this time of reflection and preparation. Less commonly known, however, is the change in musical setting that occurs with the shift of the liturgical season.

One of the larger changes that comes with the celebration of Advent is the omission of the Gloria during Sunday Masses. This is only sung twice during the season of Advent, once on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — the title under which Mary is the patroness of the United States — and once on Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — the title under which Mary is patroness of the all the Americas. When planning a Mass for the season of Advent, songs are chosen which contain a simplicity within them, all building towards the excitement of Christmas. Even in the lighting of an Advent wreath during Sunday Mass, it is expected to be lit simply accompanied by a hymn or tone that reflects this season of waiting.

Here at St. Augustine, you’ll discover that the music sung during the Mass parts (Kyrie, Sanctus, Mysterium Fidei, etc) will become much more scaled back, sung acapella, or without instrumental accompaniment, and in Latin. Also, during Advent, St. Augustine’s music ministry omits any other instruments besides the organ and piano, in order to keep with the atmosphere of waiting and preparing for a great feast ahead. This omission of instruments occurs again later on in the liturgical season of Lent, as we enter into a time of prayer, fasting, and penance.

Most importantly in this season, it is liturgically recommended to not sing any songs during the Mass directly speaking on the birth of Jesus Christ. This is why you won’t hear any popular Christmas song detailing the Nativity during Advent. In order to maintain the season of waiting, parishes will be recommended to choose tones or hymns with the message of being prepared for the coming of Christ. A challenge for those brave enough to try to avoid the Christmas tunes seemingly blasted throughout the world as secular Christmas comes upon us, try to listen to Christmas songs that don’t directly mention the Nativity in personal prayer and relaxation in order to prepare yourself more fully for Advent! Good luck and happy Advent!