The First Sunday of Advent

The season of Advent is traditionally a time of preparation for Christmas, and its observance dates from the sixth century in Gaul. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people looked forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom when there would be a new order of justice and righteousness. The early Church saw that this kingdom had been realised in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, but still prayed ‘Thy Kingdom come’; looking forward to Christ’s reign and the final consummation of all things. This service explores these themes through biblical readings, poetry, and music. Waiting, expectation, judgement, hope, and liberation are all key themes to the music and literature of Advent.