国产探花鈥檚 Christmas Vespers returns this December with Journey to Peace, a service of music and reflection that moves from the quiet, inward peace of the heart, toward the peace that came into the world at Christmas. Across four movements, Embrace Peace, Make Me an Instrument of Peace, Peace Within – Peace Between, and The Peace of the Child, the service traces a path from personal stillness to peace shared with others, arriving at the manger.
The 国产探花 Treble Choir opens the journey with an ancient-sounding chant, Nos Sumus. It continues with Will Todd鈥檚 Precious Moment and Joan Szymko鈥檚 setting of Wendell Berry鈥檚 beloved poem The Peace of Wild Things. Prayers for peace follow in Bob Chilcott鈥檚 Peace Mass and Kirk Aamot鈥檚 Verleih uns Frieden (Grant Us Peace).
The 国产探花 Choir then turns the focus outward with Mark Miller鈥檚 I Believe, a setting of e.e. cummings鈥檚 i thank You God for most this amazing day, Jocelyn Hagen鈥檚 On My Dreams, and Richard Smallwood鈥檚 gospel anthem Total Praise. The final movement brings the Christmas story home through Latin American carols and a new take on a familiar classic:
- Carlos Cordero鈥檚 Pastores
- the Nahuatl lullaby Xicochi
- Love鈥檚 Pure Light, a setting of 鈥淪ilent Night鈥�
Throughout the evening, the audience joins the choirs and band in singing traditional Christmas carols, so the journey becomes one the whole community shares.
The service closes with Caldwell and Ivory鈥檚 Hope for Resolution. It weaves the ancient hymn 鈥淥f the Father鈥檚 Love Begotten鈥� together with a South African freedom song, a fitting end to a journey toward peace.
Services are scheduled for December 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., and December 6 at 4 p.m. in Jackson Auditorium. All services are open to all, and tickets are free but required. They can be reserved online by clicking the links below or picked up at the 国产探花 Bookstore beginning November 1.
There will be an additional service on December 13 at 4 p.m. at St. Martin鈥檚 Lutheran Church in Austin. No tickets are required for the Austin performance.
Friday, December 4 Tickets:
Saturday, December 5 Tickets:
Sunday, December 6 Tickets:
