In Advent at Vespers [we sing] 'Conditor alme siderum', at Nocturns 'Verbum supernum', at Lauds 'Vox clara'... In Advent we read Isaiah until Christmas, and in the first week we sing 'I look from afar'.This is the Anglo-Saxon homilist Ælfric, describing for the monks of his abbey at Eynsham part of the liturgy for the season which begins today, the First Sunday of Advent. Written around 1005, his Letter to the Monks of Eynsham is a practical guide to monastic life and customs over the course of the year, focusing especially on the liturgy which took up such a large proportion of the monks' time by night and day....
That is the beginning of Dr Parker's post for today at Patreon-- alas, if you don't subscribe to her Patreon account-- where you can read the entire essay. My next task is to find Aelfric's Letter somewhere or other. Hmm; I can rent the electronic version for $15 or wait until the day dawns when I happen to have $36 to spare... or make my way to Knight Library at the University and borrow it. Which course would be most prudent?
Anyway, the 'I look from afar' Aelfric and Dr Parker refer to is the 1st responsorium following the 1st lesson at Matins. Until I read her essay the notion that this might be turned into a semi-staged dialogue or play hadn't occurred to me and I doubt I can blame the lateness of the hour (when I said Matins) for that.
R. Aspíciens a longe, ecce vídeo Dei poténtiam veniéntem, et nébulam totam terram tegéntem. * Ite óbviam ei, et dícite: * Núntia nobis, si tu es ipse, * Qui regnatúrus es in pópulo Israël.
V. Quique terrígenæ, et fílii hóminum, simul in unum dives et pauper. Ite óbviam ei, et dícite.
V. Qui regis Israël, inténde, qui dedúcis velut ovem Joseph. Núntia nobis, si tu es ipse.
V. Tóllite portas, príncipes, vestras, et elevámini portæ æternáles, et introíbit Rex glóriæ. Qui regnatúrus es in pópulo Israël.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R. Aspíciens a longe, ecce vídeo Dei poténtiam veniéntem, et nébulam totam terram tegéntem. * Ite óbviam ei, et dícite: * Núntia nobis, si tu es ipse, * Qui regnatúrus es in pópulo Israël.
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