4th Sunday of Advent (A) Year of Matthew

Is 7:10-14; Rm 1:1-7, Mt 1:18-24 The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name will be called Emmanuel

• Mass setting: Missa simplex
• Motet: Gabriel’s message* (Trad. Basque)
• Communio: Ecce virgo concipiet et pariet filium et vocabitur nomen eius Emmanuel. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.
• Hymns: Advent prose (Rorate caeli); Virgin born, we bow before thee MON DIEU, PRÊTE MOI L’OREILLE
• Organ Prelude: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland – Diedrich Buxtehude  (1637-1707)
• Organ Voluntary: Toccata – ‘Vom Himmel hoch’ – Garth Edmundson (1900-1971)            

Organist: Bransby Byrne

*The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
“All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:¹
“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!