The Incarnation—the mystery of Christ’s holy birth—is the subject of beloved Christmas carols all over the world. Such favorites as “What Child Is This?” and “I Wonder as I Wander” seek to connect the events of the Nativity of Christ to the Pascal Mystery—a paradoxical association of birth and death, joy and pain, and the cycle of life, all of which speak directly to the human experience. Texas Lutheran University’s Christmas Vespers 2024, titled “When All Is Still,” uses this central theme to create a worship service of hope and peace through word and music.
“I think there is something really poignant about linking beauty and awe, suffering and death, the incarnation and the hope of new life,” says Dr. Amanda Kaminski, Assistant Professor of Theology at TLU. “This seems to me to be the greatest mystery of faith: that only through death can we know true life, and only by Christ coming into history and breaking open could the Kingdom of Heaven be inaugurated and could we be reconciled to our divine nature.”
During the service, the TLU Choirs will present the world premieres of three new works:
“What Child Is This?” will be performed by the TLU Treble Choir. It was commissioned “in celebration of the beautiful life of Karin Oliver whose deep love of singing and choral music continues to inspire generations of musicians.” Composed by Dr. William Averitt, this new and thoughtful setting uses the familiar melody and takes the listener on a journey through the deeply moving text.
“I Wonder as I Wander” will be performed by the TLU Choir and is “dedicated, with love, to Deb Mayes, honoring her 25 years as collaborative pianist with the TLU Choirs.” Music and text are by celebrated Minnesota composer, Kyle Pederson. Pederson also takes the listener on a journey that begins with the familiar melody that grows and develops alongside the newly written text that describes “how the light of the heavens is born in this child.”
“When All Is Still” is the title piece of Christmas Vespers. The music is composed by Susan LaBarr with original lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri. Commissioned “in celebration of the life of Adam J. Boyer (July 18, 2000 – August 28, 2021),” the work is a meditation on the “seasons” of life, with this movement representing winter. The work begins with the stillness of the morning cold and moves toward the hope of new life.
Joining the TLU Choir, TLU Treble Choir, and Kantorei Chamber Choir are faculty members Dr. Eric Siu (violin), Dr. Elizabeth Lee (cello), and pianists Deb Mayes and Cristina Castro. San Antonio actress Sam Carter Gilliam will lead the listener through the service of music and word through a series of monologues that reflect on the Incarnation. The TLU Orchestral Winds and Percussion, conducted by Director of Bands Dr. Brett Richardson, will join with the choirs to bring the music of the season and lead congregational singing of favorite Christmas hymns.
Join us for a service that seeks to lift hearts and spirits with peace, harmony, and hope.
Performances are scheduled for December 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and December 8 a 4 p.m. in Jackson Auditorium. The event is open to the public and tickets are free but required. Beginning November 1, they can be picked up at the TLU Bookstore or reserved online at tlu.edu/vespers. There will be an additional performance on December 15 at 4 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin. No tickets are required for the Austin performance.