The Advent I Offertory: Ad te, Domine, levavi

Here's a video of this chant, sung by the "Mulierum Schola Gregoriana Clamaverunt Iusti, Michał Sławecki - magister chori, Archikatedra Warszawska, 14.12.2010 A.D." 



Here, too, is an mp3 of the chant from JoguesChant; their score and translation are below.

The text is from Psalm 25 (24 in the Vulgate), as are the texts for 3 of 5 of the chant propers today:

Unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; O my God, I trust in you, let me not be put to shame; do not allow my enemies to laugh at me; for none of those who are awaiting you will be disappointed.

The Psalm for Advent 1 this year - the Great Church Year starts today, with the Year C lectionary - is also Psalm 25.  The Gospel is from Luke 21:25-36:

21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

21:26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

21:27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.

21:28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

21:29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;

21:30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.

21:31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

21:32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.

21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

21:34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly,

21:35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.

21:36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

The texts for the Introit and the Gradual for today are separated by one word:  Domine (and of course there's the Psalm portion of the Introit chant, too, that doesn't appear in this Offertory).  I found this Josef Rheinberger piece which I think is probably based on the Introit, since it leaves Domine out - but it fits well enough for this chant, too, so here it is, sung by the Kammerchor Coburg:




And I'm not sure exactly what this is - it's called simply an "Antiphon" - but it sure is gorgeous:



Here are other posts on the chant propers for today; music files at the links:

• The Introit: Ad Te Levavi Animam Meam
• The Gradual: Universi, qui te exspectant
• The Communio:  Dominus Dabit (scroll down about halfway to find it)

And, of course, today's Collect is the best one of the year - and best in Rite I :

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.