Christmas Anthems for the Church Choir

A simple plea that this Christmas season will bring peace, hope, and joy, this setting employs the ancient refrain "Dona nobis pacem" after each stanza to link the present with the past. The tune is based

This arrangement of DIVINUM MYSTERIUM begins mysteriously, with six handbells punctuating each phrase as if in procession and then expanding with shimmering organ. The choral texture varies by stanza, and

Based on the traditional Irish hymn Suantrai na Maighdine, this beautiful lullaby from Mary to Jesus features a haunting modal melody, choir and organ, vocal solo and optional C or B-flat

Hinted in the title, this hymn text looks at the Nativity through the lens of people's longing to gather for fellowship and community. The pentatonic melody begins in the bass and moves almost antiphonally

Christina Rossetti's immortal text is the inspiration for this lovely choral setting that may be sung a cappella, with limited piano on the introduction, interludes, and conclusion, or with full

A festive Christmas concertato, this setting for choir, congregation and organ includes brass quartet or quintet and timpani. The opening verse is four-part and the second is unison. An extended

This piece is a gift of the season for a cappella voices. Beginning with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, it transitions to Go, Tell It on the Mountain, which continues as an ostinato

A notable reimagining of the cherished Christmas carol, this arrangement for voices, baritone solo, and piano opens quietly with unison women's voices on the MUELLER tune. The men's voices join in verse

This original Christmas carol opens with the angels singing to the shepherds, lit by a bright star, but it develops into a song of gratitude to the "angels and stars" in our world who look after all who

This exuberant original musical setting of the Christmas poem by James Montgomery is inspired by the flight of heavenly angels and their joyous proclamation of the Savior's birth. The spirited 7/8 meter

Christina Rossetti's text and Gustav Holst's tune have long been a favorite pairing for Christmas. Each stanza is uniquely composed with the cello and piano playing a duet around the choir and vocal solo,

A delicately flowing piano accompaniment distinguishes this arrangement of the beloved French Christmas carol. The choral parts begin in unison and gradually thicken through stanza two until all voices join

This arrangement of the traditional Polish Christmas carol Przybiezeli do Betlejem celebrates the joy of both shepherds and angels as earth and heaven rejoice in the glorious event of the

This arrangement of CRADLE SONG is inspired by the traditional words but diverges just enough to provide a more theologically reflective alternative to the original. The anthem is written for SAT and

This piece is an arrangement of the beautiful pentatonic tune SHENG YE JING, written by Qigui Shi. Long, lyrical lines support the gentle peacefulness of this carol. The descant (perhaps sung by a solo

The rhythms of the Venezuelan folk carol Cantemos celebrate the country's rich Christmas tradition of aguinaldo, which is both the tradition of gift giving and a popular musical genre of

A lyrical, chant-like style shapes this choral arrangement. The flute, oboe, and cello parts provide polyphonic embellishment in conversation with the text. Solo voices take verses 1 and 2 with choir

A traditional Swedish carol receives a new arrangement and a paraphrased English text, yet the SATB voicing stays close to the original harmonic form. Newly composed music is featured in the oboe

Centering on the flowing refrain, "Gloria in excelsis," this Christmas reflection builds from a single voice or section to full choir with interweaving melodies before drawing to a gentle close. The simple

This contemporary setting is a musical reimagining of the 19th-century hymn of the same title. The music with the words creates a strong sense of urgency using lilting rhythms and a suspended harmonic

Organ accompaniment with optional brass and percussion.