Surprising us as it does every year, the eve of Christmas has arrived. In churches that follow the liturgical cycle, texts for today’s morning services still belong to the Advent cycle. But thereafter, someone from the altar guild will arrive, the violet cloths will be exchanged for white, silver, or gold, and a Christmas tree, if not already in place, will be erected, decorated, and prepared for its first lighting. When the doors open for Christmas Eve services, be they mid-afternoon or at midnight, the entire feeling of the sanctuary will be transformed.

Thus, for the final entry in this 2021 Advent Calendar, let me first thank you for allowing me to journey with you through the season of Advent. How I have appreciated the lovely emails you sent this year: responses filled with your own stories and fascinating resources to pursue.

Secondly, as a last offering for this year’s calendar, let me return to one of my family’s favorite tunes: Personent Hodie (On this Day, Earth Shall Ring). If new to you, it could be just right the piece when the light of Christmas morning breaks through. A bit like “This is my Box” from Amahl and the Night Visitors, Personent Hodie is able to embed itself in one’s inner ear. If children learn it, I can almost promise you they will break into its refrain across the next few days.

I’ll suggest three performances for you. You will find quite a few others. Also, please know that Personent Hodie is included in our recent songbook Hurrah and Hallelujah that many of you have:

1. Here is a live performance of the best known setting of the melody written by Gustav Holst in 1916. It is delivered exuberantly by the children’s choir of l’Académie Musicale de Liesse, a commune in the Northern France. A bit of medieval drum is added for effect.
2. This version of the melody for solo lute will give you an idea how beautiful such a tune can be when sounded on an instrument from its time. Trond Bengtson plays lovely, gentle embellishments to the melody, too.
3. For grandeur and, especially should you wish to add it to your own music for Christmas Eve , try this sweeping version of Holst’s arrangement sung by the King College Choir, Cambridge. As you might guess, playing the organ for this arrangement is thrilling (particularly if you can work out an organ, setting and choir like this!).

So with these recommendations, I step to the side, wishing each of you a blessed Christmas Eve, and a joyous First Christmas Day, Second Christmas Day, and every day through Epiphany and into the New Year. And, oh yes, Merry Christmas!