BAPTISM OF THE LORD

I know of many who think Christmas ends with the Epiphany (the "12th day of Christmas").

Then you have the retail industry and mainstream media who have botched up Christmas so bad, they think it starts on All Saints Day and ends at midnight on St. Stephen's feast day (December 26), not to mention that Jesus isn't even thought of in their eyes.  It's all about cuddling up by the fire and riding in a sleigh and swapping gifts to them.

Christmas actually ends with the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrate this Sunday.  Two of our hymns are Advent-themed, but depict John the Baptist, the "herald's voice": "One is greater than I to come; I am not fit to loosen his sandal straps.  I baptize with water, but he baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire."  The Communion anthem is Christmas-themed (remember, we're still in Christmas).  The final hymn, usually found in the Epiphany section of most hymnals (the ones sorted liturgically, at least), begins the second verse with "Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme."

So, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: On Jordan's bank, Maroon hymnal, #10

Gloria: Mass of the Shepherds, Pietro Yon (except 7:30: Gloria VIII)

Psalm 104: O bless the Lord, my soul, Royce Nickel

Alleluia: Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Offertory hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding, Maroon hymnal, #9
Sanctus: Mass of the Shepherds (except 7:30: Sanctus XVIII)
Memorial Acclamation: Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine, chant
Amen: Dresden Amen, arr. Theodore Marier
Agnus Dei: Mass of the Shepherds (except 7:30: Agnus XVIII)
Communion anthem: Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly light, tune: Ermuntre Dich by Johann Schop, arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach
Post-commuion hymn: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, Maroon hymnal, #197
Recessional hymn: Songs of thankfulness and praise, Maroon hymnal, #53

Come Monday, it's back to "Ordinary Time", folks.  A "return to normalcy" for a brief time, as Ash Wednesday is only a month away (February 10).  During this "return to normalcy", we'll be using the sung Ordinary from my own Holy Angels Mass, which we did last fall.

Peace,
BMP