An Advent Playlist
A couple of years ago, I asked my friend (who loves mixed CDs) if she, a lifelong Anglican, would appreciate a Christmas compilation. She carefully said, “If it’s Advent and not Christmas.” I did not grow up with a liturgical Advent anything like that in the Anglican church. I still haven’t quite gotten the vibe. So this was a challenge. However, a year later (yes, a year), when I gave her my Advent collection, it was one of the only mixed CDs that she sent me her feelings about: she loved it. And it is very good. I listen to it a lot. But I was excited to have gotten the Anglican Advent thing right. For your enjoyment, here is the playlist.
Brett’s Advent Playlist
“Christmas Don’t Be Late” (Rosie Thomas)
“Let It Fall” (Over the Rhine)
“Love Came Just In Time” (Taylor Sorensen and Alathea)
“A Gospel Number (Live)” (Over the Rhine)
“December” (Amy Grant)
“Come Healing” (Patrick Page and the Hadestown cast)
“Song Of The Magi” (The Hadestown cast)
“The Ice Storm” (Annie)
“Hard Candy Christmas” (Dolly Parton)
“Nothin for Christmas” (Ginny Owens) This one is optional if it ruins the vibe for you. It was a personal inclusion for my friend.
“Just For Now” (Kelly Clarkson)
“Vacancy” (Carolyn Arends)
“When the River Meets the Sea” (John Denver & The Muppets)
“Another Christmas” (Over the Rhine)
Brilliant work capturing the liturgical tension between waiting and celebration. The fact that she specifically requested Advent over Christmas shows real theological awareness most people miss. I've struggled with similar gift projects where the seasonal nuance mattered more than the gesture itself, and it's rare to find somone who gets that distinction right. That optional track inclusion is a nice touch too.