Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/68151
2 Foreword Throughout my life, the journey from Advent to Christmas in my personal worship experience has been filled with vivid images of beloved traditions: the lighting of candles and Christmas trees as the light of Christ glows with increasing intensity; decorations of evergreen wreaths and garlands, symbols of the promise of rebirth; the emergence of stars atop the trees to guide the pilgrim journey; the presentation of gifts—often in the form of gifts wrapped in white tissue paper for distribution to needy families—in celebration of Christ, God's great gift to us all. The singing of Christmas carols has accompanied this journey, both in my personal experience and throughout history. In A Garland of Carols, my good friend Anna Laura Page and I have combined these elements into a simple program that we hope will both inspire and delight your church's journey. This program includes five suites, one for each Sunday in Advent, and a fifth for Christmas Eve (or Day). Each suite opens with a choir carol and closes with a carol medley for choir and optional congregation. Interspersed in each suite are readings for Advent wreath candle-lighting ceremonies, and inspired stories and scriptures for that suite's theme. My worship experience has also taught me that "flexibility" is of great importance in program planning! As a result, A Garland of Carols can be presented in a variety of formats that you can tailor to your particular needs. You can present it as a single 40-minute "hanging of the greens" program; individually, as a series of 7–10 minute suites for worship throughout the season; or in any combination that you wish. The flexible SATB or Two-part Mixed choral texture makes it ideal as a "one-rehearsal" program for larger choirs, while also providing a very accessible and easily prepared program for smaller choirs. The two-hand piano accompaniment is very effective, but a four-hand piano part is also available and adds an especially festive air for the season. The light instrumental ensemble score is simple to prepare and easy on the budget, and it may be combined with the four-hand piano part to provide a richer accompaniment for larger choirs. Anna Laura and I sincerely hope that A Garland of Carols—performed in any program format and with whatever choral texture and accompaniment you choose—serves as an inspiring expression of Christian faith traditions for today's congregations and passes along that rich heritage to the next generation of God's family gathered in worship during Advent and Christmas. —Jean Anne Shafferman 65/2038&39L-2 Preview Copy