COMPOSER’S NOTES
This classical choral work is designed to take you on a musical journey in three movements that
span the entirety of time from before Creation all the way to the Day of Incarnation.
ADVENT
The first movement opens with God’s plan to send His Son before even time began. Surrounded
by the ancient chants, Of the Father’s Love Begotten and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, is
the prophecy from Isaiah referring to a Shoot (Jesus) coming from Jesse’s stump. Hope blooms
as the prophecy nears realization in Lift Up Your Heads,Ye Mighty Gates! Our yearning is then
evidenced in O Come, O Come Emmanuel and finally, the movement is completed with Come,
Thou Long-expected Jesus.
ANNUNCIATION
The annunciation usually refers to Gabriel, the angel appearing to Mary, revealing to her that
she will be with Child by the Holy Spirit. However, in this second movement, the music actually
describes the angels announcing Christ’s birth to mankind. This movement is interspersed with
short chants sung by the children (much like Mussorgsky’s promenades in “Pictures at an
Exhibition”) that usher us from one larger piece to the next. It opens with the inexpressible joy
of All My Heart This Night Rejoices and Joy to the World. The children then sing Hail the Day
So Rich in Cheer and encourage the men to join with them singing the dual responsive texts,
Good Christian Men, Rejoice! and Now Sing We Now, Rejoice! all to the familiar tune of IN
DULCE JUBILO. This then moves us all to listen to the angels worshipping in Hark! What
Mean Those Holy Voices and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. Finally, acknowledging in awe A
Great and Mighty Wonder and Angels We Have Heard on High.
ADORATION
The Christ Child has finally arrived. It is time to worship the newborn baby. The children’s choir
opens reverently singing Silent Night and then builds with the adults joining in on O Holy Night.
The children then chant their last segue, Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising leading to an
a cappella O Come, All Ye Faithful with the adults. The finale is a medley of Christmas carols
called The Bells of Christmas. It is percussive celebration which includes The Carol of the Bells,
On This Day Earth Shall Ring, Ding-Dong Merrily on High and an original refrain, Hear the
Bells of Christmas as a finale to the program.