Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

     Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
My very favorite of all Advent songs. 

     Today was the first Sunday of Advent. For Christians this is the beginning of the ramp up to Christmas. As many of you may know my faith runs pretty deep. What you may not know, is that my theology, like my politics lies slightly left of center. I sort of lean to the Christian Left. Have no fear, this post is not a discourse on cardinal doctrine or a platform for my espousing my thoughts on whether we are pre-millennial, millennial, or post-millennial. It's about music.

     We currently go to Willowdale Chapel near Kennett Square. About a 1000 people attend the two services each Sunday. We have been attending since 2006 and really love the church. It is very contemporary in its worship music, sermon delivery, and hospitality. Which appeals to my worship style.  The dress code is casual, and jeans, or shorts in the summer,  are the norm. I don't know if I have ever seen the Senior Pastor in a tie.  Coming in the front door you are greeted warmly. A cafe with several different flavors of coffee lies just off the lobby, which is big and bright and airy, and the Worship Center is furnished with comfortable cloth covered chairs. It is just a warm, friendly, loving, non-judgmental come as you are church.

      I love Willowdale. I love the message, the music, and the people. If you are looking for a church, and are in Southern Chester County, I can't recommend it enough, and encourage you to stop by and check us out. If you are a little uncomfortable give me a call or shoot me an email, and I'll meet you at the door at either the 9 o'clock or the 11 o'clock service.

     All that being said, me, being me, I can get my knickers in a twist over stupid trivial things. It is who I am and something I need to get over. And really, they aren't all that twisted. Just a little. So the thing that poked me a little today was the fact that today WAS the first Sunday in Advent, and we didn't sing one Advent song. I love contemporary Christian music equally as much as the venerable old hymns.  The Praise Band is a group of people who are worshippers that happen to be top notch musicians. They strive for excellence while serving as a conduit for worship to flow between the congregation and God. And they are really, really good. Always.

     Today they did 5 songs, "Let the Praises Ring," "Loves Come Down," "To the Cross," that old classic, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," and 'My Hope is You." All of them are great worship songs. All of them were nailed by the band. The first and the last really rocked. BUT none of them are advent songs.

      Maybe because I was brought up in the Episcopal Church, and there was a certain amount of ritual and ceremony, especially when the big holidays were coming up, I have certain expectations.  Jill and I attended a Methodist Church for awhile since she was brought up Methodist. Later, when we moved back to PA, we became Presbyterians. Then, after 16 years at Kennett Pres, we came to Willowdale. As my faith evolved I found I really enjoyed contemporary worship, not to the exclusion of more traditional styles, but it is my preference. Except for when it comes to Christmas and Easter. Then, I am a "dyed in the wool" traditionalist. Why? I don't know. I just know that I want the traditional stuff twice a year.

     So today, this beginning of the church's period of expectation, I was expecting at least one song that spoke of that expectation, traditionalist that I am at this time of year, and I didn't get it.  No "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, " no "Immanuel, " no "Comfort, Comfort You My People," nor my favorite, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus." (It is the link at the top of the page if you want to listen to it.) Did it detract from my worship experience?  No, worship was great today, as usual.  Did I get all lathered up about it and fire off an angry email to the Worship Leader? No, although I let myself have a bit of a rant here.  Did my boxers get in a bit of a bunch? Well......... maybe..... but I am learning to get over this kind of stuff. I know they didn't do it just to annoy me. I know it's not about me ....... most of the time..... Will there be Advent or Christmas music next week?  I am pretty sure there will be. At least one song. I hope. ..... but it's not about me..... and if there isn't, the music they do have will be great, and  I can always listen to some traditional stuff at home..... and I am okay with that......