Love Came Down at Christmas

Commissioned by Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, director, this text focuses on the beauty of love and peace that can be found in the wondrous mystery of Christ’s birth. The bright light from the star and angels shining down on the manger is represented by the upper voices descending into clustered chords of light on the words “love came down.” The second element is a melody, initially sung by the tenors, that has a gentle, rocking motion—like that of a lullaby—representing Jesus’ mother Mary holding and rocking her child to sleep. These two themes weave together throughout the piece and finally coalesce to express the brightness of the sign that is signaled by the star and angels, as the upper voices sing the words “love divine,” painting colors of gold and white light illuminating the peaceful manger scene.