Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/605292
2 LAMENTATIONS OF THE LAMB – SATB LAMENTATIONS OF THE LAMB A SERVICE FOR TENEBRAE foreword Lament/lamentation: a passionate cry of suffering and grief. In the Bible, these outpourings of deep anguish are accompanied by pleas to God for help, and often question "why" or "how long." Yet even these darkest emotions never fully eclipse the deeper hope and trust in God's power to save and give strength. The Old Testament contains many laments, but perhaps none more plaintive than the Messianic laments that foreshadow the events of the Passion. We have all experienced physical pain and the emotional distress of rejection, betrayal, fear, confusion, grief and despair. We have questioned God and appealed to him to rescue and help us. When Jesus came into the world as human, he felt what we feel, asked what we ask and pleaded as we plead. He experienced human suffering at its most extreme, yet he did so willingly. Lamentations of the Lamb is a parallel telling of the Passion: the tradi- tional third-person Gospel narrative, side-by-side with the Old Testament first-person laments. It is the perspective of the observer, alongside one's own personal experience. This first-person viewpoint, with its excruciat- ing imagery, resonates because it touches our own pain and suffering. Creating this work led John and me on a journey through the two final days in the life of Christ. The aching words of lament and John's poetic music will no doubt lead you on your own journey. As you take in the human suffering of Jesus, you will also plumb the depths of divine love that made his obedience and sacrifice possible. And as you are reminded of the steep price of redemption, you will perhaps begin to fathom your own immense value and worth in the eyes of God. ~Pamela Stewart For Preview Only