Vigil of Christmas
Processional hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 796
Recessional hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, 801
Kyriale: Mass XVII, 762; Credo IV, 780
Offertory antiphon: Tollite portas, Giovanni Battista Martini (1706–1784)
Marian antiphon: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Solemn Tone
Communion antiphon: Revelabitur, Johann Joseph Fux (c.1660–1741)
Today’s propers focus intently in anticipation of tomorrow’s solemn feast. The communion antiphon is set by Johann Joseph Fux with the text taken from Isaiah 40:5: “The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed; and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.” Fux staggers each voice’s entrance and when the fourth voice joins, the lower three voices unite rhythmically to convey the idea of revealing the Lord’s glory. He concludes the motet on the dominant chord, which has a sense of expectation rather than resolution.
Johann Joseph Fux (c.1660–1741) was an Austrian composer, music theorist and pedagogue of the late Baroque era. His most enduring work is his treatise on counterpoint, Gradus ad Parnassum, which has become the single most influential book on the Palestrinian style of Renaissance polyphony. His work greatly influenced composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart.