The text originally comes from Psalm 80:2. It is traditionally used on the third Sunday of Advent, the "Gaudete" or "Rejoicing" Sunday, when penitential exercises are suspended to symbolize the coming of the joyous Christmas season. The text, Excita, Domine, is also used in some churches for the "Stir Up Sunday," on which Christmas puddings are made and literally "stirred up." The beginning of the piece quotes the "Alleluia" from the original chant, and then moves from the austere to the joyful "Alleluia, excite" (Stir up thy strength, O Lord). The piece should move along quite briskly, symbolizing the joy and urgency of the text. -Jonathan Adams. Duration: 1:34