Denver Seminary

Lessons and Carols: A Celebration of Christ's Coming HEATHER DAVEDIUK GINGRICH, PHD PROFESSOR OF COUNSELING G rowing up I was not aware of this rich Christian tradition surrounding the season of Advent. It was not until I was a young adult that the lighting of Advent candles was introduced, which became a nice reminder to me that Christmas was just around the corner. It was not until joining a chamber choir, Canto Deo, which annually participates in an Advent Lessons and Carols service that I have begun to discover the richness of the Advent season; it is so much more than a countdown to Christmas! Advent Lessons and Carols services blend music and Scripture together as a way of turning our attention not only to Jesus' coming, but why He even needed to come. Therefore, while the Biblical passages read and the particular songs sung will vary, the Genesis story of the introduction of sin into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience is always a part of this service. The corresponding song is typically "Adam Lay Ybounden," a song with many tunes set to ancient lyrics in which "Adam" represents humankind and the "apple" symbolizes the sin that binds all of us without Christ. This vivid reminder of our sinfulness makes the advent of the celebration of the birth of our Savior all the greater! The biggest surprise to me, however, was the realization that Advent is not just about Christ's birth—His first coming—but also anticipates His second coming! Advent services often end with, "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending." The words paint a remarkable picture of the description in the book of Revelation of Christ's return to earth as King, ending with "O come quickly! Alleluia! Come, Lord, come!" But my favorite Advent hymn is a more recent one, "E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come," which was composed by a father at the bedside of his young son who lay deathly ill. Even in the midst of uncertainty as to whether his son would live or die, Paul Manz draws from Revelation 22, acknowledging that it is Christ who brings peace, that He is holy, and that our joy is based on the knowledge of His coming. The song ends with: "THERE WILL BE NO MORE NIGHT. THEY WILL NOT NEED THE LIGHT OF A LAMP OR THE LIGHT OF THE SUN, FOR THE LORD GOD WILL GIVE THEM LIGHT." (REV. 22:5) "Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell there-in, Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon. E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more: They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All!" 08 DECEMBER May Christ be your "All" this Advent season. DENVER SEMINARY CHRISTMAS 2013 13

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