Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/842904
The warmth and love of Christmas has always seemed to me, best experienced on December 24th with the shopping complete and the family gathered in to welcome the events of this significant holiday season. Part of our family tradition was to attend the Christmas Eve wor- ship service at church. Hearing the endearing and familiar carols, sung by children and adults alike, helped us to ref lect on the true reason for the season. When arranging and composing music, I'm always surprised by the inspirational moments that steer my creativity in one direction or another. Blending words and musical ideas in fresh and innovative ways helps to offer insight into a story that has been told over and over again, making us feel that we are hearing it for the first time. We are pleased to offer: • AWAY IN A MANGER set to the Scottish tune, FLOW GENTLY, SWEET AFTON • BE BORN IN US TODAY featuring O Little Town of Bethlehem and soulfully set to the American folk classic, WAYFARING STR ANGER • SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE including Silent Night, Holy Night partnered with the delicate Still, Still, Still • A dance-like setting of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly combined with the poignant Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming makes up CHRIST WAS BORN FOR YOU • and the summary piece, THIS CHILD EMMANUEL, a rhythmic context of What Child Is This? is combined with an original chorus announcing the arrival of "This Child Emmanuel: Almighty God is with us!" From beginning to end, the powerful text and music will wrap the engaging story of the Eve of Christ into a special package. I invite you to use this collection creatively: soloists, duets, small groups, or as written for choir. Options for narration by Rose Aspinall and music introductions are offered for various worship needs. An accompanying CD with enhanced orchestration by Ed Hogan is also available as a service option. Each anthem may be used in whole or in part throughout the Christmas season. The complete work runs approximately 25 minutes in length. The story of Christmas offers reassurance to believers knowing that God is with us both now and forevermore. His birth set a plan into motion that brought hope and calm to a fragile world. It is that night, The Eve of Christ, that ushered in the love that came to life through the Christ Child. Mary McDonald FOREWORD For Preview Only