gaudete sunday

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Friday we had a relatively short but horribly intense snowstorm. For whatever reasons, my workplace decided to open as usual, so I fought my way the 42 miles to work (it took 2+ hours) and then, a few hours later (we closed at noon) I took 3 hours to go back home. It was exhausting and scary and I must confess that I was rather angry about the whole thing. I was not looking forward to driving back Saturday morning for my 24 hour call.
Saturday morning bright and early I groaned my way out of bed and shrugged into warm clothing. I fed the cats and made tea, grumbling at myself for not having done the dishes and hence, not having my favorite travel mug available. John came downstairs just as I was getting ready to walk out the door and reminded me to drive safely. Yeah, yeh. What made it worse in some ways was that I was not originally supposed to be working that date, but I had traded in order to be able to attend a Christmas party next weekend. I was so not into heading to work in the cold.
Get in the car (thank God that it heats quickly!) and stop twice before exiting the driveway to knock ice off the wipers and to wipe down the side view mirrors. Once I'm on the road, there really aren't many places to stop safely without adding considerable time. Drive down State street and see, once again, the burned out house across the street from the state prison. Wonder about the story here, say a brief prayer for any injured in what was obviously a fast and hot fire. Make my way through town and get on the interstate headed south. There's an uphill stretch just out of town, traveling from one valley to another. I start up the hill and I can see, in the morning sky, that God has graced me with advent colours of indigo and violet with the warm candle yellow of the sun just beneath the horizon. On the radio, still tuned to the local Evangelical Christian station, the Moody Broadcasting System is running highlights from the week, and they front announce "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". It's a brief moment of grace and my heart just melts.
Cresting the top of the hill, I realize that the melody to which "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is being sung is not the familiar Stuttgart but rather Hyfrodol, that wonderful workhouse of a hymn tune. Hmmm, I wonder if it would work with Picardy (better known for "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence") I turn off the radio and start singing
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art:
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Picardy doesn't quite scan right, but I'm getting into it, and regretting that I haven't moved my Advent/Christmas CDs into the car. Oh well, with the sky like an Advent Wreath and the roads clear, I can provide my own music, and so I move into Steeleye Span's version of Gaudete.
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur;
Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur.

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
(english translation at end)
May your gaudete sunday have been blessed!

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary;
Rejoice!

The time of grace has come
For which we have prayed
Let us devoutly sing
Songs of joy.

God is made man,
While nature wonders
The world is renewed


By Christ the King.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Has been passed through
From where the light has risen [the East],
Salvation is found.

Therefore let our assembly sing praises now
At this time of purification
Let it bless the Lord:
Greetings to our King.

(Midi and sheet music here)

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This Catholic Carnival is clearly Advent-related, but there is “spice� from other directions scattered throughout. I’m always amazed by the quality of thought, reflection, and love of Christ exposed in these posts; this week is no different. Enjo... Read More

3 Comments

Hey now! You aren't allowed to a have an entry entitled "Gaudete Sunday". No Fair! ;-)

One of my best Christmases ever really, really shouldn't have been. I was:
-Eight hundred miles from family
-Working late Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day
-By myself (I'm an extrovert)
-Sick as a dog with the flu

It was at a newsradio station, and (fortunately for my voice) there were no broadcasts to be made on those two days. We were playing Christmas carols. I just looked out the window into the gently falling snow and listened to Christmas carols all shift— all I had to do was change over the tape. If you've got to be sick as a dog for Christmas, a nice, low activity job to keep you occupied is the perfect thing. And though there were no hymns, it was nice and contemplative nonetheless.

I did call in sick the day after. Three days working with flu is a bit much.

Just a note to say it was such a relief to find your blog and get the Gaudete translation. The St Michael's Christmas Choir are forever in your debt!

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About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by alicia published on December 11, 2005 2:52 PM.

another great conversion story was the previous entry in this blog.

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