advent
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“O Come, O Come, Behold Emmanuel”: A Sonnet for Good Friday
I was reflecting on the “O Antiphons” today, those ancient prayers that inspired the familiar Advent carol, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” As it is Good Friday, though, I began to wonder how the Messianic titles of the “O Antiphons” might inform a consideration of the cross. As so often happens, this contemplative exercise produced Continue reading
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Christmas Recommendations to Nourish Your Imagination
I just looked up from answering emails to see that today is December 19th. How is that possible? Even though I’ve spent the last few weeks playing for holiday concerts and preparing for Advent services, Christmas still managed to sneak up on me. Anyway, if you are not quite in a holiday mood or are Continue reading
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Worship Leader, Are You Using the Wrong Metric?
It’s Advent, a season of special services and rousing carols. Even people who rarely listen to traditional worship music will find themselves humming along to “What Child is This?” or belting out “Glo-o-o-o-o-oooo-o-o-o-o-ooooo-o-o-o-o-ooo-ria!” when “Angels We Have Heard on High” plays. For contemporary and traditional worship leaders, the pressure is on. It may be a Continue reading
advent, blog, chistmas service, Christian life, Christian ministry, christian music, church, church leadership, church music, faith, hymns, Jesus, leadership, ministry, ministry life, Music, music ministry, organist, singing, singing church, spirit-filled singing, worship, worship leader, worship music, worship musician blog -
Eve’s Magnificat
For my latest paper, I’m doing a deep dive into Genesis 3:16 and the multiplication of Eve’s pain in childbearing. It was most interested to discover that, through the births and lives of Cain, Abel, and Seth, Eve is brought from hubris to humility. She greets Cain’s birth with triumph and pride in her accomplishment, Continue reading
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After a Children’s Christmas Service
Would the Light of the World have liked light-up shoes?Or eagerly volunteered to switch on the tree?Or struggled not to wiggle when asked to stand and sing? Would he sprint, unsteady, to the altarOr jump merrily from its step—Bowing midair lest He forgetUpon landing? We often consider Him as a baby With all His infant Continue reading
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Publication – The Silent Carol
Recently, I had the joy of writing on my favorite carol for Deus ex Musica, a fantastic publication and resource for musicians, ministers, and students. You can read my article and listen to some beautiful recordings at the link below: https://www.deus-ex-musica.com/blog/2021/12/10/the-silent-carol Continue reading
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Joseph – A Song and a Sermon
When we first began dating, my husband and I were employed by two very different churches. They proclaimed the same gospel, but the one where he worked was extremely contemporary while mine preserved the beautiful Lutheran liturgy. Although we attended each others’ services, it became our dream to collaborate, for him to preach while I Continue reading
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Joseph’s Magnificat
My troubled soul shall magnify the LordWhose glory proves through my humiliation.May it be unto me according to his wordFor the promised hope of this, my own nation. The Master works through my humbled estateAs the fitting tool to smooth my splintered grain.He gives and takes away and by his greatCraft turns my lonesome loss Continue reading
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No Silent Night Was This
Sweet “Stille Nacht” is but a prayer;No silent night was this, When angel hosts announced on highThe birth of God with Us. Holy, yes, but earthly too,No silent night was this,When with one final virgin cryLabor turned to bliss. ‘Tis but a late-come comfort wish;No silent night was thatWhich brought the babe but born to Continue reading
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Conjunction
Unlike that lone first star of Christmas nightThis union burns expectedly above, But like that light, this, too, shines highest, brightAnd may still testify of searing love. Drawn closer by the work of innovation,Man captures and contains this far-off flare.How like and unlike the flame of incarnationThat, inverse, came to earth to draw us near. Continue reading
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Christmas Fear
I love Christmas. I am one of those eternally annoying people who begins singing along to Christmas radio stations before my birthday (November 14th) and I remain fueled almost entirely by peppermint mochas throughout December. The lady in the video below is my hero. And yet, as I wholeheartedly throw myself into the kitschy joy Continue reading
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Carol Contemplation
My favorite carol this year is one that few people have heard of and I myself did not know until this advent season. It’s title alone sets it apart from the more popular carols, which I love as well. Can you guess which it is? Joy to the World O Come, All Ye Faithful O Little Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 