MADISON — December 11 saw St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison swell with Advent music and prayerful Advent readings.
The St. Maria Goretti Choir presented an Advent Lessons and Carols to help parishioners in their spiritual preparation for Christmas.
Celebrating the season
The choir was directed by Marco Melendez and welcomed guest organist Michael Mills to support the singing.
Parishioners of all ages attended the service, which was modeled much like the rhythm of the Easter Vigil: A Scripture passage followed by a sung answer, either a hymn or carol.
Indeed, the Advent Lessons and Carols were formerly held right before Midnight Mass, as a prelude.
Giving the service its own space, however, is fitting.
It is delightfully “Advent” in character and provides a lovely space for reflection on the Christmas mystery.
Preceded by an organ recital, the roughly hour-long service was an opportune chance to hear a full set of Advent hymns, which are often little known compared to their Christmas counterparts.
It was also a chance to join in the singing. While several pieces showcased the choir’s talents, many more provided an opportunity for the congregation to lift their voices in prayer.
The ‘lessons’
The complementary nature of the Scripture and songs allowed for a wonderful opportunity to deepen one’s understanding of the Scripture passage.
Often, the Scriptural roots of a classic hymn became abundantly clear.
As an example, the first “lesson,” the story of the fall from Genesis, was followed by the ancient carol “Adam lay Ybounden.”
This carol is itself an echo of the Easter Vigil’s song of “O Happy Fault!” It describes Adam waiting for the release of Christ’s coming and rejoicing in the fidelity of Our Lady and the gift of Salvation.
A similar complementarity was found in the fourth “lesson,” where Zachariah’s prophecy of the king coming meekly on a donkey is echoed by the common Advent hymn “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”
Singing of how we look forward to Christ’s triumphant coming in glory while acknowledging His initial coming in meekness and humility prepares one to allow His daily coming into one’s heart.
This particular “lesson” also demonstrates how the service reflected the eschatological nature of Advent.
Many of the carols were about keeping one’s lamp lit and being prepared for the Second Coming, as well as about Christ’s Nativity.
That sense of expectation is essential to the Advent spirit.
Prayer and community
The service marked one of many chances for Advent prayer and community at St. Maria Goretti.
The parish also provided a men’s and women’s retreat, Christmas cookie decorating, a young adult Advent party, and a Rorate Caeli Mass.
Parishioners blessed by these opportunities were eagerly awaiting Christmas itself, which contained its own beautiful pattern of music and scripture.
This pattern was echoed in another St. Maria Goretti Choir Lessons and Carols: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on January 8 celebrating the completion of the Christmas season.