The Nativity

The Nativity was originally supposed to be a Christmas Oratorio on a grand scale, with full orchestra, chorus, and soloists. It was one of my first concepts when I began writing music (I have sketches for the oratorio from the late '70's), but ended up being on a much smaller scale when I went to work on it in late 1992. I was going to make this smaller Christmas cantata a capella, but decided the choirs performing this would need the support of accompaniment. I also substituted a narrator for the recitatives I would have included had it been the more ambitious work I had originally envisioned.

The Nativity is an introspective, almost mournful work, filled with expressions of doubt and inadequacy. However, permeating the cantata is the certainty that salvation is at hand with the coming of Christ, and that all trials and tribulations will be moot in the final equation.

Click music images to hear MIDI samples.

  1. Make Ready, Now, Your Hearts for the Lord

    The opening chorus, anticipating the coming of Christ, was inspired by French Christmas carols in its voice-leading and melodic construction.

  2. When Mary and Joseph

    This piece tells the story of Mary and Joseph as they made the hazardous journey from Galilee to Bethlehem to take part in Caesar's census. The words make the point that the parents of Christ are not obeying the will of Caesar so much as Caesar is obeying the will of God.

  3. Angels Above

    "Angels Above" follows the narration describing the appearance of the angelic hosts to the poor shepherds. The lively 6/8 rhythms deliver the theme that their jubilation echos down the centuries to the present day.

  4. Sleep, Baby Jesus

    A simple lullabye to the baby Jesus, sung by all the witnesses to His arrival in the world.

  5. Little Child, What Shall We Bring?

    The choir takes the role of the Three Wise Men, who have arrived at their destination only to have second thoughts about their gifts, which seem hollow and superficial next to the singing of angels and the shepherd's jubilation. The song ends with a note of hope as they realize that Jesus accepts everyone, regardless of the gifts they bring: "To him we are undefiled, deserving of Salvation."

  6. Sleep, My Baby, Sleep

    The most emotionally intense section of The Nativity, this lullabye is sung by the grieving parents of the Innocents killed by Herod's soldiers. As in the previous song, it ends with a ray of hope: "The evil of the world will pass, a Savior now has come."

  7. Young Christ Child

    Added in 1997, this chorus provides a break between the sorrow of the previous lullabye and the joy of the concluding chorus. It is a contemplative piece, dealing with the hope of God's love in the face of adversity.

  8. Sing Praises to the Son of Man

    The final chorus invites all present to join in songs of celebration, repeating "Alleluia" over and over with a contrapuntal texture. This piece--and indeed, the whole cantata--is intended to a prelude to a congregational singing of traditional carols.

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