O Antiphon: O King of the Nations
O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us, whom you formed out of clay.
O Antiphon: O Dayspring [Chuck Meyer]
O Rising Sun, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Antiphon: O Key of David
O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open. Come and rescue the prisoners, those who are in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Antiphon: O Root of Jesse [Chuck Meyer]
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
O Antiphon: O Adonai
O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave us the Law on Sinai. Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.
O Antiphon: O Wisdom [Chuck Meyer]
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Introduction to our O Antiphon series
Two years ago, my good friend Chuck Meyer and I were invited to be a part of a group of student composers at Wartburg Theological Seminary writing musical settings for the O Antiphons. These antiphons are traditionally used in vespers services the last seven days of Advent. Each of the seven antiphons focus on a [...]
Run pvconv (Qualcomm PureVoice Converter) on Ubuntu Karmic
So when I get a musical idea, I have to write it down or record it immediately or I’ll forget it. I’ve probably forgotten a hundred halfway decent ideas in the last year or so this way. Nowadays I’m using my netbook or my cell phone’s microphones to record ideas when I can, which helps [...]
Song: You Are Beautiful, My Love
I wrote this song in honor of my wife, Jennifer, on the occasion of our fifth wedding anniversary. It comes from my experience of realizing just how blessed I am to be married to such a good and faithful woman. It’s very easy to take the people we love for granted. Every once in a [...]
Advent Waiting
This article ran in the December 2009 issue of The Messenger, the newsletter of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sterling, IL. As you read this, we have entered the season of Advent and the time in the church year where we wait with expectation for the birth of Christ at Christmas. I don’t know about you, [...]