Today is the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord, the last Sunday in the Christmas Season.
Processional: Baptized in Water (Schonster Herr Jesu) - 614 CBW3
Offertory: Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree (music by Elizabeth Poston). This is a gorgeous piece of music and a favourite of many choir members. Here is a video of it being performed by The Choir of Kings College, Cambridge. I've included the text below, which is attributed to an unknown New Englander.
Offertory: Come to the Water (John Foley, SJ), a request from our pastor.
Recessional: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (Salzburg) - 348 CBW3
Prelude, postlude, and other incidental organ music from Suite Evocative (Charles Tournemire).
For a little meditation, the text to Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree.
The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.
