As we ring in 2016, full of our hopes and expectations for the year ahead, we also continue to celebrate Christmas.  Many will soon begin to take down their Christmas trees, box up the Christmas mugs, and return their homes to "normal."  But let us remember the Christmas season extends a few more days, ending with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday,  January 10.  So, continue the feasting, continue the singing, continue to pray for the peace of the Christ child.   

On this eighth day of Christmas, we honor our Mother Mary, whose "yes" paved the way for our salvation.  Mary, Mother of God, pray for us! 

​At liturgy we sing “hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs” as St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians.  At this time of year, however, our songs are called ‘carols.’  Why is that?  What exactly is a carol; what makes it different from a hymn?  Generally speaking, a hymn is a communal song of praise to God.  With that definition, just about everything we sing at liturgy is a hymn.  Although, there is also a specific musical form widely accepted as a hymn.  A carol, however, is a little different.  Dating back the medieval ages, a carol was a song sung outside of worship – often religious, but not necessarily.  It is thought carols developed as a circle or ring dance called a “carolare” with singing.  They developed as a song of the people, music in the vernacular, that contrasted Gregorian chant and other, what we might call “high church” music, that was exclusively sung during liturgy.  A carol often has a distinctive melodic pattern or repeated refrain that makes it accessible to all people.  

​A Hymn for St. Cecelia's Day
Let the deep organ swell the lay
In honor of this festive day.
Let the harmonious choirs proclaim
Cecilia’s ever blessed name.

Let the harmonious choirs proclaim
Cecilia’s ever blessed name.

Cecilia with a two-fold crown,
Adorned in heaven we pray look down,
Upon thy fervent children here 
And harken to their humble prayer.

Let the harmonious choirs proclaim
Cecilia’s ever blessed name.

Hymn for St. Cecilia’s Day; Charles Constantine Pise (1802-1866)

This Friday our parish celebrates the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation upon 97 eighth graders.  Our combined choirs will lead the singing of many fine texts asking for the Holy Spirit.  Below is a sampling of the music for Friday's liturgy.  Come, Holy Spirit! 

This past Wednesday, I had the honor of joining nearly 350 other musicians (singers, orchestral players, percussionists, organists, conductors, soloists) to lead sung prayer for the first Mass Pope Francis celebrated in this country.  And he canonized one of the founders of our country, California - as a good friend refers to the state, "God's country."  After weeks of rehearsal, including an intense week of rehearsals nearly everyday the week before, sitting in the music area, I was getting ready for Mass, as I have done hundreds of times.  Chatting with fellow singers, keeping hydrated, saying a prayer.  

It was not until Pope Francis had arrived on campus, however, that I realized the magnitude of what we were about to do - celebrate Mass with the Pope, and fill a particular liturgical role during that celebration.

As the Popemobile turned onto campus and into the sight of the 25,000 faithful gathered, the Washington Symphonic Brass joyfully rang out  a fanfare, introducing the choir's singing of Tu es Petrus - You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.  We sang the ancient plainchant melody.  The brass replied with another fanfare which lead into the singing of the French composer Maurice Durufle's motet based on the same chant.  A third brass interlude led into the third piece of our Papal Welcome Set.  It was at this point that our Holy Father, in his Popemobile, was right behind our music section.  Standing in the back row, in front of the sole opening, I turned to see him passing by.  It was not until this moment I truly understood, "Wow, we're singing for the Pope!"  As the brass interlude concluded, I had to turn my attention back to the task at hand.  We sang Richard Proulx's The Messenger of Christ.  Here is the complete text:  

For the Healing of the Nations

For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords;
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.

Lead us forward into freedom;
from despair your world release,
that, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase.

All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race, or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life's brief span.

You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind,
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find.

United Methodist Hymnal, 1989; Fred Kaan (1929-2009)