From Fr. Scott: A special invitation to Choral Evensong

for the Season of Advent

"Choral Evensong is a small part of something infinitely larger: the worship which is offered to God by Christian people, every hour of every day, in every part of the world, and through which we experience God’s renewing presence." (From the description of Evensong on the website of Wellington Cathedral, New Zealand)

Tonight at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Crystal Lake at 5 p.m., the combined choirs of St. Ann’s and St. Mary’s will offer a service of Choral Evensong for the Season of Advent. But if you’re new to the Anglican/Episcopal tradition (or if you’ve not experienced Choral Evensong), you may be wondering: just what is Evensong?

The Cathedral Music Trust describes it well: “Evensong is a sung evening service in the Anglican church, first defined in its current usage during the Reformation. The word ‘Evensong’ was first documented as ‘oefen-sang’ c. 1000 to describe Vespers, the seventh of the eight daily offices practiced in Roman Catholic monasteries, which traditionally occurs at sunset or around 6pm.”

Evensong is a uniquely Anglican prayer service, a part of our tradition of bridging the gap between the Protestant and Catholic traditions of the church. Evensong includes prayers commonly prayed in monasteries in the early and late evening for more than a thousand years, but in keeping with the Protestant ethos, Evensong makes those prayers available to all God's people (not just monastics). In Choral Evensong, rather than by monks or nuns these ancient prayers are sung by the choir, as are one or more psalms and a choral anthem.

In comparison to services of Holy Eucharist, in which the congregation participates through readings, hymns, and responses, Choral Evensong includes less involvement by the congregation (though certainly not the choirs!). This shift in mode of participation can be a gift: the leadership of the choir allows the congregation to rest in the music and prayers, and provides space for contemplation and mindfulness at the end of the day.

Evensong is a wonderful service for Advent, as the traditional canticles and prayers of Evensong touch on major themes of Advent and Christmas:

• The Phos Hilaron, sung as candles are lighted, is an ancient Greek hymn that is one of the oldest of the church. Basil of Caesarea (a Father of the Church) notes that the hymn was already old in his day…the fourth century! The hymn hails Christ as our light, appropriate for this season when nights are long and days are short.
• The Magnificat, the song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55), is always appropriate when Christians gather to pray. But this canticle, a core part of Evensong, is especially appropriate in Advent. The Magnificat relates Mary’s words on learning that her cousin Elizabeth was miraculously pregnant (as was Mary): “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…”
• The Nunc Dimittis, the song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32), is another central prayer of Evensong. This canticle goes back to the words of the old prophet Simeon who was told he would live to see the Messiah. He prays this prayer “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace” after seeing the child Jesus in the temple.

Evensong is a gift of the Anglican tradition, embracing the beauty of holiness. Tonight's service represents significant work by our Music Directors and choirs, and I am always grateful to be led in prayer by them in this beautiful and holy way. I hope you will join us this evening at St. Mary’s (210 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake) as we join in an ancient chorus of prayer, and together contemplate the divine mystery.

A blessed Advent to you,

Fr. Scott

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of Life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 117)