Christmas of the Witnesses (2018) for SATB Chorus and Organ

Opus 1319

Christmas of the Witnesses (2018)

for SATB Chorus and Organ

Text by Euan Tait

Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor

Duration: 3.5 min.

Dedication: for the 109th Annual Christmas Carol Services of The Memorial Church, Harvard University, December 2018

Commission: Commissioned by The Memorial Church, Harvard University

Publisher: Zimbel Press/Subito Music Corp.

Performance materials available from the publisher.

Christmas of the Witnesses (2018) was written for the 109th Annual Christmas Carol Services of The Memorial Church, Harvard University, December 2018.

Always the still, gentle breath
of Love’s most longing message:

“Do not be afraid, beloved.
Be at peace, my children.

Watch and be embraced.”
We, the watchers at the cradle

this radiant Christmas
are fragile as candles,

and joined this holy night
by love’s witnesses, soldiers,

children of love and sacrifice
in this place. Our hearts flow

with the Holy Child’s music,
our beings streams of light.