We start a new series today called Melodies of Hope: Hymns From Advent and Christmastide. Each year, our churches sing a familiar rotation of Advent and Christmas hymns, often without knowing their meaning and context. To provide a fresh take on the Christmas carol canon, we’ve enlisted eight worship leaders, songwriters and thinkers from around C4SO to tell us a favorite Advent or Christmas hymn, giving us historical and musical context, and a word of good news each hymn speaks to us today.

Our guest is Cindy Rethmeier, a longtime songwriter and worship leader, and the hymn she talks with us about is Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus.

The recording featured in this episode is “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (feat. Christy Nockels) [Live]” by Chris Tomlin, from the album Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship (2009).

You can hear the antiphons Cindy mentioned here.

• All C4SO clergy, leaders, parishioners or people interested in the life of the diocese are invited to attend our virtual Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 13, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm CT. The Convention is a vital part of engaging in communal leadership of our diocese. During this time, we will be celebrating our 2021 growth and progress, sharing our vision for 2022, hearing from key leaders, and voting on important topics. Get more info and register here.
• Our Cycle of Prayer Spotlight ministry this week is Vintage Church in Santa Monica, CA, led by the Rev. Ger Jones.