Prepare the Way Worship Series, week 4: WELCOME
December 23, 2018 — Fourth Sunday of Advent

The following selections are congregational songs (most of which are chosen from this week’s Hymn Suggestions) with notes on key, tempo, and instrumentation, along with some practical and creative considerations in singing.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 211
Recommended Key: E minor
Tempo: 108–116 bpm
Instrumentation: a cappella (unison or parts), organ, piano, or band
Notes: Very few Advent songs will be sung as well by congregations as this hymn. The tune is old (15th century), but the text is older (9th century)! Join in singing a song embraced by the church for ages as a theme song throughout the Advent season. Because of the key, there are numerous possibilities for instrumental accompaniment, including keyboard instruments, or any variety of bands or ensembles. Create a zimbelstern effect with a handbell random ring on one or more stanzas. The “O Antiphons” are included on the opposite page of the hymns, and they also work well as complementary liturgical pieces for worship.
Resources: History of Hymns
VENI EMMANUEL Doxology

Even So Come

Source: CCLI #7036288
Recommended Key: E♭–F
Tempo: 52–55 bpm (dotted quarter)
Instrumentation: Full band, guitar, or piano
Notes: This modern favorite would also make a great theme song throughout the season of Advent. The line, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come,” will stick in the ears and minds of parishioners through the week. Conversation needs to be had in your context around some of the language in the song, however. Even though the use of “bride” and “bridegroom” is scriptural, the context of a “bride waiting for her groom” may need some attention for worship planning teams. See the CCLI Top 100 Project lists and rationales (found in resources below) for more information.
Resources: CCLI Top 100 Song Lists and Rationales

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 196
Recommended Key: F
Tempo: 108–116 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: One of the most well-known hymns in Methodism, this text by Charles Wesley is often sung in churches on the first Sunday of Advent, although it can be sung on any day in the Advent season. Though Wesley often wrote many more stanzas to hymns than are included in our collections, this hymn was originally printed as two stanzas only. The brevity of the hymn creates both a longing for more and a sense of anticipation, signaling the beginning of the season of Advent. Though often sung with the bold tune, HYFRYDOL as found in The United Methodist Hymnal, the tune JEFFERSON may be even more fitting for this season, which is characterized by the present paradox of hope and despair.
Resources: History of Hymns
Hymn Study
Simplified keyboard accompaniment

Joy to the World

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 246
Recommended Key: D
Tempo: 82–88 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano, additional brass if possible
Notes: While this is often thought of as the grand opener on Christmas Eve, the text truly harkens to the reign of God in its fullness. Therefore, “Joy to the World” is indeed a wonderful Advent hymn. This hymn is usually set in the key of D for a reason — tone color presents D as one of the brightest keys in western music. Let the brightness of the tune, ANTIOCH, shine as you sing it in worship. There are plenty of arrangements and hymn accompaniments of this for brass, including a descant duet in The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement. Put those band students and local musicians to work!
Resources: History of Hymns
Simplified keyboard accompaniment

Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)

Source: CCLI #5607039
Recommended Key: A–B♭
Tempo: 120–128 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, guitar, or piano
Notes: Chris Tomlin’s new setting of this hymn incorporates the stanzas of the original with a new chorus. The CCLI Top 100 vetting team from Discipleship Ministries recommended the use of this song with further conversation because of a few points: 1) The range of the chorus, which can be quite high when sung in the common key of D, and 2) the shift in focus from joy to the world to the individual. This doesn’t cause the vetting team to not recommend the song, but worship planners and leaders need to be aware of this dynamic and find ways to balance the individual concerns with the concerns of the world.
Resources: CCLI Top 100 Song Lists and Rationales

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 230
Recommended Key: F
Tempo: 94–102 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: Any time we find the Micah 5 passage in the lectionary, our first thought is usually to turn to this hymn. This Scripture also appears in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, so “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is also an optimal choice in that service. Many choirs will choose to sing at least a portion of this hymn a cappella. If that occurs in your context, be sure to keep the tempo moving forward. The choir and/or song leader will be responsible for maintaining a good pace.
Resources: History of Hymns
Simplified keyboard accompaniment
French hymn translation

Holy Ground

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2272
Recommended Key: E♭
Tempo: 68–72 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, rhythm section, organ, or piano
Notes: This brief chorus may have more connection with the story of Moses and the burning bush, but it is also well placed in Advent because of the “holy ground” experienced when Elizabeth suddenly finds herself in the presence of the Son of God. What ensues is a loving example of Christian community as Elizabeth and Mary rejoice together. Sing this chorus as a standalone work at the beginning of worship, or use it as a response surrounding the Scripture reading or prayer.

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 216
Recommended Key: F
Tempo: 88–96 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: Many tune arrangements paired with this fifteenth-century text have been composed, but this harmonization by Michael Praetorius of the original tune remains the most prominent. This piece can serve as congregational singing and is also a wonderful way to introduce four-part, SATB singing with your choir. Somewhat of a musical image of the theotokos (Mary, mother of God, often shown with the infant Jesus), this hymn is replete with metaphors that can present many teaching moments within the birth narrative and the passages that precede it. The ideal accompaniment is organ, but I also recommend listening to a recording of this hymn as arranged by Sufjan Stevens to get some other creative ideas with rhythm and instrumentation. It is possible to accompany with instruments you may not be used to using!
Resources: History of Hymns
Simplified keyboard accompaniment