Sometimes, I need to wait. I need the anticipation, the longing, the not-yet-here, so I can rejoice fully when fulfillment arrives.
I love Christmas music. Not Rudolph and Chestnuts Roasting so much as the sacred and celebratory songs of Christ. It’s just the best music! I can’t possibly wait till Christmas Day to turn on the tunes, like some people who celebrate Advent do. But this year I made an Advent playlist. It’s for the beginning of Advent, and for the days I want to feel longing instead of celebration. I found it a bit challenging to find Advent specific songs, but here’s what I’ve come up with from my music library.
Messiah: Overture – Handel
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – Chris Tomlin (Glory In the Highest)
Veni Veni Emmanuel – Hayley Westenra (Winter Magic)
Mao Tzur (Rock of Ages) – Fred Penner (The Season)
Forever Will I Sing (Psalm 89) – John Michael Talbot (25 Songs of Christmas Vol 2)
Messiah: Comfort Ye My People – Handel
Messiah: Every Valley Shall Be Filled – Handel
Messiah: And the Glory of the Lord – Handel
When the Time is Right – Ginny Owens (One Silent Night)
You’ll Come – Hillsong Chapel (Yahweh)
Messiah: Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive – Handel
Messiah: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion – Handel
He Shall Be Born – Wendy & Mary (25 Songs of Christmas Vol 2)
I Choose You – Rachel Lampa (One Silent Night)
My Soul Magnifies the Lord – Chris Tomlin (Glory in the Highest)
The Magnificat – John Michael Talbot (25 Songs of Christmas Vol 2)
O Come O Come Emmanuel – Instrumental (One Silent Night)
Breath of Heaven – Point of Grace
Messiah: Come Unto Him – Handel, National Philharmonic Orchestra (25 Songs)
Liese Rieselt Der Schnee (Softly Falls the Snow) – Fred Penner (The Season)
Dona Nobis Pacem – Yo-Yo Ma (Songs of Joy and Peace)
Messiah: For Behold a Darkness Shall Cover the Earth – Handel
Messiah: The People That Walked in Darkness – Handel
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence – Fernando Ortega (Storm)
Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) – Chris Tomlin (Glory In the Highest)
–Messiah selections recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir unless noted otherwise
