The Church of the Advent

03/05/2026

If anyone knows of an organist who would like to help us out at Church of the Advent, please let us know.

01/09/2026

Don't forget about St. Mary's Kinston's Boars Head and Yule Log Festival this Sunday Jan 11! Performances are offered at 3pm and 5pm. Learn more on their website. http://www.stmaryskinston.com/event/24209750-2026-01-11-the-boars-head-and-yule-log-festival/

01/04/2026

Highlights from this year's Feast of Lights

01/04/2026

Highlights from this year's Feast of Lights

Our Wise Women singing their solo verses from the hymn "We Three Kings" with the congregation.

01/04/2026

Highlights from this year's Feast of Lights

12/29/2025

Correction: The Feast of Lights will take place on SATURDAY, January 3. The pageant will be followed by our annual Twelfth Night Party. Offerings/donations from both the pageant and the party will support Blessings in a Backpack.

12/19/2025

What Are The Great O Antiphons? 🎶

As Christmas approaches, the choral music takes on a special character. One of the most beautiful traditions of Advent is the singing of The Great O Antiphons, which are short verses that accompany the prayers of the season from 16-23 December. But did you know they also contain a hidden message?

The Great O Antiphons
✨These are sung at the beginning and end of the Magnificat during Evensong in the final days before Christmas Eve.
✨Each antiphon begins with a different name for Jesus, which come from different passages in the Bible.
✨These verses date back to the Medieval period, possibly as early as the 6th or 7th century, and though many melodies exist, the seven core antiphons are shared across Christian traditions.
✨Here at Salisbury, we sing eight O Antiphons, adding O Virgin of Virgins in honour of the Blessed VirginMary, to whom our Cathedral is dedicated.

In Latin, the first letters of the seven antiphons, read backwards, form “ero cras”, which means “Tomorrow I will come.” Whether intentional or not, this phrase beautifully captures the hope of Advent: the anticipation of Christ’s birth at Christmas.

📸 - Douglas Atfield