Christmas Cantata 2023

In the beginning, before the world was formed, before the stars adorned the heavens, and before time began, there was a divine presence that would bring light to the darkness. In the timeless realm of eternity past, a story of love and redemption was already being written. This is a story that would unfold throughout the ages, and like all good stories, it begins in the beginning:

 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:1-3) 

In the timeless expanse of eternity past, the heavens whispered in hushed reverence, for there existed a divine secret. John, the Beloved Disciple, called Him "the Word," for Jesus was not merely a messenger from God, but He himself embodied the very Message itself. As we gather here to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us remember that Jesus was no ordinary baby. In the boundless grandeur of eternity, Jesus was, and is, God in the flesh, the infinite glory and grace of the Father, dwelling among us in the humble tabernacle of a human body. His birth, foretold by prophets, was the dawn of salvation's hope. To believe in Christ is to embrace Him as God. It goes beyond seeking Him for guidance or help; it's an invitation to have the Creator of the universe be with us, to dwell within our hearts. 

O Come, Emanuel

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

    one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

    from ancient days." - Micah 5:2

As I, Micah the prophet, spoke those words, my heart was filled with awe and wonder at the divine revelation bestowed upon me by the Lord. In that moment, I was but a humble vessel, chosen to foretell the birthplace of the Messiah. Bethlehem, a small and unassuming town in the land of Judah, was designated as the birthplace of the future ruler of Israel. The chosen one, whose origins were not of this world, would emerge from this humble abode, a beacon of hope and light for all of humanity.

The divine prophecy that was bestowed upon me revealed the essence of the Messiah, the God-man with two distinct yet inseparable natures dwelling in one divine person. The very existence of this divine being before His earthly birth attests to His divine nature, while His human birth attests to His true humanity. As the embodiment of the divine and the human, He stands as the sole mediator between God and mankind, a unique and unparalleled figure whose presence is the linchpin of redemption.

As I pondered upon the wondrous event, I found myself in awe of the mystery that had unfolded. For how could it be that the eternal Son of God, adorned in the splendor of the heavens, would stoop down to enter the womb of a virgin and be born amidst the lowly beasts of the field in a manger at Bethlehem - the birthplace of David, a town characterized by simplicity and humility? Truly, it was a testament to the fact that greatness is not measured by grandeur, but by the commitment to serve with humility and love. The Messiah's humble birth, in all its meekness, signified the beginning of a life dedicated to humble obedience, which eventually led to his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. 

O Come, Emanuel

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel… 

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

    there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

    to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

    from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this…

- Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7

As I, the prophet Isaiah, spoke these words, the nation of Israel was shrouded in the darkness of Assyrian domination and oppression. But through divine revelation, I glimpsed a time when those in darkness would see a great light, and that light was none other than the presence of Christ. His arrival changes everything, for He always shines light into darkness.

This profound truth remains for each individual touched by the glorious gospel. Christ makes an indelible difference in the lives of those who receive Him. He is the Wonderful Counselor, offering wisdom to the foolish and ignorant, bringing them the very wisdom of God. He is the Mighty God, a fierce defender of the weak and oppressed, rescuing them from their enemies. He is the Everlasting Father, a loving protector of orphans and the isolated, caring for them eternally. He is the Prince of Peace, reigning over those who have known only conflict with God, with others, and within themselves.

The promise of Immanuel, "God with us," has been gloriously fulfilled. We, who are recipients of His grace, have the joy of Christ within us. This realization should infuse our souls with confidence and consolation, especially during times of troubles and trials. Our God is with us every step of the way, and He will lead us safely home.

So, let us, in this season of Christmas, adore Him and praise Him, for He is the hope of the world, the light in our darkness, and the One who transforms our lives with His presence and grace.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

 Matthew 1:20-23

The angel told me not to be afraid, but how could I not be filled with fear. The angel revealed to me the divine purpose behind the child my beloved Mary was carrying. The angel said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' My son is the Savior, the Messiah, and I am not to be afraid? How am I supposed to raise the most important baby ever to be born?

I was to give him the name "Jesus," which would signify His divine purpose. It is a name that speaks of redemption, salvation, and hope. His life on Earth was one of spotless obedience, and though I would not live long enough to see its fulfillment, His sacrificial payment for our sins resulted in a complete and effective salvation for all who believed. Jesus, my son, was the answer to the cries of humanity, the hope for the lost, and the redemption for the broken. He is the embodiment of God's love and grace.

But he was given another name, 'Immanuel,' which means 'God with us.' In the person and work of Jesus, God had come to dwell among His people. His birth marked the arrival of God Himself into the midst of humanity. He became one of us, walked alongside us, and offered the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, let us remember the profound significance of the name 'Jesus.' He is our Savior, our Redeemer, and our hope. And in 'Emmanuel,' we find the promise that God is always with us, guiding, comforting, and redeeming us through the presence of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Fear Not with O Come Let Us Adore Him

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:6-14

Gather 'round, Sons of Adam, for I bring tidings of profound import wrapped in the glistening robes of divine revelation. In the tapestry of time, behold, a moment of incomprehensible grandeur is unfurling before us tonight. It is a revelation so majestic it could only be woven by the hand of the Almighty Creator.

With the whispered winds of prophecy and the blazing light of a guiding star, the heavens conspire in a celestial ballet. And tonight, amidst the humble setting of a stable, a miracle shall burst forth like a supernova.

For unto you, O humanity, a child is born, a child who is destined to be a beacon of hope and salvation. In the quiet of this humble manger, the very Son of God, the Messiah, has come into the world.

But why, you may ask, do the heavenly hosts resound with exultant praise this sacred night? Why do we, the celestial messengers, proclaim the birth of this child with such fervor? 

In the prophecy of Luke, it is written: "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

What significance, you ask, does this simple nativity scene hold in the annals of eternity? Allow me to elucidate, for we, the Angels, are heralds of this remarkable event.

Our presence, our harmonious voices, and our radiant countenance all converge in this very moment, bearing witness to the boundless love of the Heavenly Father. We sing, for within this humble stable, mankind's greatest gift is presented. We sing, for the Savior, the Light of the World, has descended from the heights of glory to dwell among the lowly.

We sing, for this child shall teach the world the enduring values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. He shall turn the meek into heroes and the lost into found. He shall mend the broken, heal the wounded, and save the souls of those who believe.

This, dear mortals, is the crux of our joy. Our jubilation, our celestial chorus, is an anthem of redemption, a serenade to the birth of grace. It is an eternal reminder that the divine is found in the simplest and most unexpected places, and in the most humble of hearts, hope is born.

So, let your hearts be uplifted, for the night is filled with harmonies and the world with peace. Rejoice, for the Messiah is here, and He brings with Him the promise of eternal salvation. Let our voices, celestial and human, meld as one in the timeless hymn of hope, for the birth of Jesus Christ heralds the dawn of redemption and the everlasting light of love.

In awe and reverence, let us join together to proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14)

And in this proclamation, let us find the true meaning of Christmas: the wondrous birth of our Savior, the embodiment of God's boundless love and the everlasting gift of salvation.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke 2:15-18

Under the canopy of heaven's majesty, I, a simple shepherd, stood guard over my flock. A quiet, ordinary night it seemed, until the sky itself ignited with radiant light.) I remember it so vividly, like a dream I never wished to end. An angel, an emissary of the divine, appeared before us with a message so profound that it trembled our very souls. 'Fear not,' he said, 'for I bring you tidings of great joy that shall be to all people!'"

We hurried to the stable, drawn by an invisible force, guided by a star so brilliantly radiant that it bathed the earth in celestial light. There, in a humble surrounded by livestock and hay, was a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

In that moment, as angels' voices echoed through the heavens, we knew that we had witnessed the fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of the Savior, the Light of the World. The very presence of God among us, born in a humble stable.

Never shall I forget that night, for it was a night of miracles and profound grace. We, humble shepherds, were chosen to bear witness to the dawn of a new era, when the world would be forever changed by a child born in Bethlehem.

Messiah

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 

I will never forget that starlit night, that humble stable, or the cry of my child on that cold night. I stand before you, not as an extraordinary woman, but as a vessel chosen by God to bring His greate gift to the world.

As I cradled this precious child in my arms, I couldn't help but marvel at the divine plan that led us here. In this manger, in this place of lowly beginnings, God chose to reveal His love, grace, and salvation to all mankind. It's a story filled with wonder and hope that echoes through the ages.

From the moment the angel appeared to me, to our arduous journey to Bethlehem, to the shepherds and angels who proclaimed His birth, we have witnessed the miraculous unfold before us. This child, Jesus, is not just my son; He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world. He is the fulfillment of prophecies, the light in our darkness, the hope in our despair.

In the stillness of that night, I reflected on how this child would grow to be a man, spreading love and forgiveness, teaching us to turn the other cheek, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to show mercy to one another. His very presence is a testament to God's infinite mercy and boundless love.

It is my prayer that, as we celebrate this miraculous birth, we too may ponder these things in our hearts. That we may be inspired to live lives of love, compassion, and forgiveness, just as He taught. Let us carry this message forward, sharing the joy and hope of His birth, knowing that it is a gift not only for this moment but for all eternity.

May this Christmas be a reminder that in the humblest of places, the most profound miracles can occur. As we gather in celebration, let us remember that the birth of Jesus is not just a historical event but a living reality that continues to transform lives and hearts.

He Has Come For Us with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

As we conclude this Christmas Cantata, may the profound truths we've reflected upon resonate in our hearts. In the beginning, before time itself, the divine plan for salvation was set in motion, culminating in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us embrace the mystery of the Incarnation, where the eternal Son of God took on human flesh, dwelling among us to bring light to our darkness. As we leave this sacred space, let the words of John 10:10 ESV echo in our souls: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

May the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ be our source of joy, hope, and transformation. Go forth with the assurance that the Savior, born in Bethlehem, is Immanuel – God with us. Amen. 

Fear Not (Reprise)