An Advent Calendar of Hymn Tune Propers

I hope that some parishes will find this Advent Calendar useful. It is designed for parishes that have little familiarity with the proper texts of the liturgy, and especially with chant.

The hymn-tune format allows Pastors and Music Directors to make an easy initial transition towards the singing of the propers. Anyone can sing these texts to already-established hymn tunes in Long Meter, such as Creator Alme Siderum (Creator of the Stars of Night), Old 100th (All People That on Earth Do Dwell), Duke Street (Jesus Shall Reign), or Jesu Dulcis Memoria (O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine).

I have found the proper texts of the Mass to be nourishing, and am happy to provide this for anyone's use.

Christmastide Hymn Tune Propers

The Hymn Tune Propers project continues, this time with the Introits for the festivals of Christmas.

The Christmas Vigil and Christmas Midnight introits are in a shorter meter (6.6.8.6.) than the others (8.8.8.8.), in order to express anticipation.

Christmas Vigil

Today, you know the Lord
Will come to set us free.
And when the morning comes at last,
You shall His glory see.

Christmas Midnight

The Lord has said to me:
Today, you are my son.
Today I have begotten you.
I have begotten you.

Christmas Mass at Dawn

Light shines today; the Lord is born:
The wondrous God, the Prince of Peace,
The Father of all future times:
Dominion that shall never cease.

Christmas Mass during the Day

A Child is born for us today.
To us today is giv'n a Son.
Upon His shoulder, power rests,
The Counsellor, the Wondrous One.

Holy Family

The shepherds rose without delay
And speedily they made their way
To Mary, Joseph, and the Child
Who in a manger-cradle lay.

Mary, the Mother of God

O, Holy Mother, hail to you,
For you have brought our King to birth,
And He is King eternally,
Forever, over heav'n and earth.

Christmas 2 (often replaced by Epiphany)

When silence covered everything
When half its course the night had run
O Lord, Your Word, all-powerful
Leapt down from heaven's royal throne.

Epiphany Vigil

Arise, Jerusalem, arise.
Look to the East: your children come!
From sunrise, they are gathered in,
And to the setting of the sun.

Epiphany

Behold, the coming of the Lord
Who rules by universal right.
He grasps His kingship in His hand,
And His dominion, and His might.

Baptism

The Lord was baptized. Heav'n unfurled.
The Spirit came down like a dove.
"My Son, in whom I am well pleased,"
The Father said. "The one I love."