Scenes form His Nativity(From Winter 2008 Crib Sheet)
Scenes From His Nativity
By Charles Hull
On Friday evening of the Heartland Cradlesong Crèche Convention in Dublin, Ohio we traveled to the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church for a performance by the church choir, handbell choir, brass choir, organist and orchestra. They presented a musical picture of the nativity story entitled “Scenes From His Nativity.”
The evening opened with the Pre-Concert music by the church’s handbell choir. Although it was their first “public” appearance, the peal of their handbells soon assured us that they were not amateurs. They transformed us from a busy day of lectures and shopping to setting the mood for an evening of worshipful music and readings.
We were then treated to a Two Carol Arrangement of carols, “Once in Royal David’s City” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by the church orchestra. The orchestra was directed by the arranger of these carols, Noel Rawsthorne. Following a welcome and opening prayer by Pastor Paul Ulring the orchestra played an arrangement of “Three English Carols.”
As the choir filed into the sanctuary we heard the Old Testament prophesy of the birth of Christ from Isaiah being read. But the choir did not go to the risers in front of the sanctuary. Instead they surrounded the audience and sang “God So Loved The World.” What a beautiful reminder for us as crèche enthusiasts. It was God who was there from the beginning that sent his only Son into the world to share God’s overwhelming love with each one of us. And that love, that salvation, came to us in the baby in the manger. The “Scene” was beginning in the proper place, with God.
“Climb To The Top Of the Highest Mountain” was sung with orchestral accompaniment to underline once again the promise of the Savior, “Behold your Lord comes to you…” This work reminded us of the promise of the coming of the Savior and offered hope to all who heard it.
After we climbed to the top of the mountain we overlooked Bethlehem with the anthem “The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem.” This then lead us to two J.S. Bach selections, “Arioso” by the Dominion Brass and a cantata “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” by the choir. Bach moved us from the prophesy of the Savior’s birth, to the angel’s glorious songs, then to the shepherds and their adoration of the Christ Child. This work also included the proclamation of the child as Emmanuel, King of Kings, David’s Royal Son, and Lord of all. How else could this cantata end but with a chorus of Alleluias and praise to the Lord forever.
Additional readings, music by the Dominion Brass and organist, Allan Willis, preceded the Ovid Young cantata, “Images of Christmas: Suite 3” which was shared by the choir and orchestra. This cantata included more recently composed carols such as “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”, “He Is Born the Divine Christ Child”, “Mary Had a Baby”, and “Nativity Carol” which all proclaimed the birth of the Christ Child.
As the Scenes of His Nativity drew to a close there was a great anticipation as to how this wonderful night of music would end. For still to come was the composition that was commissioned by the Friends of the Crèche particularly for the Heartland Cradlesong convention. Michael G. Martin, Director of Choral Activities of the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, composed the anthem “Is It Really You?” along with his wife, Carolyn Martin, who penned the words. This “scene” unfolded from the perspective of a Wiseman. Since the beginning of time, the people of Israel were waiting for their Messiah. Upon studying the Star and hearing of the promised King, the Wisemen traveled far to see the baby Jesus. Can you imagine what went through their minds while traveling for so long to see the promised Messiah? When they did arrive at the manger, they were able to see God’s promise with their own eyes and could not help but to bow and worship Him.
As this outstanding night of music drew to a close, we too joined the Wisemen, as we traveled through scenes of proclamation, announcement, the birth, and eventually bowing in worship before the “Light of the Word, the King of Glory”.
By Charles Hull
On Friday evening of the Heartland Cradlesong Crèche Convention in Dublin, Ohio we traveled to the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church for a performance by the church choir, handbell choir, brass choir, organist and orchestra. They presented a musical picture of the nativity story entitled “Scenes From His Nativity.”
The evening opened with the Pre-Concert music by the church’s handbell choir. Although it was their first “public” appearance, the peal of their handbells soon assured us that they were not amateurs. They transformed us from a busy day of lectures and shopping to setting the mood for an evening of worshipful music and readings.
We were then treated to a Two Carol Arrangement of carols, “Once in Royal David’s City” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by the church orchestra. The orchestra was directed by the arranger of these carols, Noel Rawsthorne. Following a welcome and opening prayer by Pastor Paul Ulring the orchestra played an arrangement of “Three English Carols.”
As the choir filed into the sanctuary we heard the Old Testament prophesy of the birth of Christ from Isaiah being read. But the choir did not go to the risers in front of the sanctuary. Instead they surrounded the audience and sang “God So Loved The World.” What a beautiful reminder for us as crèche enthusiasts. It was God who was there from the beginning that sent his only Son into the world to share God’s overwhelming love with each one of us. And that love, that salvation, came to us in the baby in the manger. The “Scene” was beginning in the proper place, with God.
“Climb To The Top Of the Highest Mountain” was sung with orchestral accompaniment to underline once again the promise of the Savior, “Behold your Lord comes to you…” This work reminded us of the promise of the coming of the Savior and offered hope to all who heard it.
After we climbed to the top of the mountain we overlooked Bethlehem with the anthem “The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem.” This then lead us to two J.S. Bach selections, “Arioso” by the Dominion Brass and a cantata “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” by the choir. Bach moved us from the prophesy of the Savior’s birth, to the angel’s glorious songs, then to the shepherds and their adoration of the Christ Child. This work also included the proclamation of the child as Emmanuel, King of Kings, David’s Royal Son, and Lord of all. How else could this cantata end but with a chorus of Alleluias and praise to the Lord forever.
Additional readings, music by the Dominion Brass and organist, Allan Willis, preceded the Ovid Young cantata, “Images of Christmas: Suite 3” which was shared by the choir and orchestra. This cantata included more recently composed carols such as “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”, “He Is Born the Divine Christ Child”, “Mary Had a Baby”, and “Nativity Carol” which all proclaimed the birth of the Christ Child.
As the Scenes of His Nativity drew to a close there was a great anticipation as to how this wonderful night of music would end. For still to come was the composition that was commissioned by the Friends of the Crèche particularly for the Heartland Cradlesong convention. Michael G. Martin, Director of Choral Activities of the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, composed the anthem “Is It Really You?” along with his wife, Carolyn Martin, who penned the words. This “scene” unfolded from the perspective of a Wiseman. Since the beginning of time, the people of Israel were waiting for their Messiah. Upon studying the Star and hearing of the promised King, the Wisemen traveled far to see the baby Jesus. Can you imagine what went through their minds while traveling for so long to see the promised Messiah? When they did arrive at the manger, they were able to see God’s promise with their own eyes and could not help but to bow and worship Him.
As this outstanding night of music drew to a close, we too joined the Wisemen, as we traveled through scenes of proclamation, announcement, the birth, and eventually bowing in worship before the “Light of the Word, the King of Glory”.
posted by Mike Whalen at 8:06 PM
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