Christmas Cantata 2009
performed on Sunday, December 13, 2009 - Advent III
This year’s cantata has as its theme music from the centuries. We start with the 14th century and conclude with the 21st century.
Alleluia, Rejoice! Anon., arr. J. E. Hughes (14th century)
Men’s Choir
The fifteenth century saw the invention of the mechanical printing process by Johann Gutenberg. The first printed book in history is known as the Gutenberg Bible. Printed in Latin, the translation by St. Jerome had been commissioned by Pope Damascus I in 382 AD.
Isaiah 9:2 (Latin, then English [English translation of Latin Vulgate])
Puer Nobis, 15th century melody, arr. J. Hall (15th century)
Wesleyan Ringers
In 1517, Martin Luther challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church on penance, indulgences and the authority of the pope. His 95 Theses sparked a theological debate that fueled the Reformation.
John 1:1-5 (German, then English [English translation of Latin Vulgate])
O Magnum Mysterium, T. Vittorio (16th century)
Quartet
Coventry Carol, arr. D. E. Wagner (16th century)
Wesleyan Ringers
In 1604, King James I of England appointed 54 biblical scholars and linguists to translate the Bible in order to reduce the diversities of bibles then existing in the English language. The result was the King James Version of the Bible which was the standard for over 200 years.
Isaiah 11:1-3 (King James Version)
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, M. Praetorius (17th century)
Women’s Ensemble
John Wesley was born in 1703, educated at Oxford, England, and ordained in the Church of England in 1728. After two years preaching and teaching in America, he returned to England and in 1739 established Methodist societies throughout the country.
Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version)
Gloria in Excelsis, W. A. Mozart (18th century)
Chancel Choir
The nineteenth century saw the founding of various bible societies beginning with the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804. These societies, including Gideon’s International, embraced as their goal the translation of the Bible into the many languages and dialects throughout the world. Their work has helped to bring the bible to many nations and cultures. The work of the bible societies continues to this day.
Matthew 2:1-11 (Tamil (read by Sourirayan Isaac), then English/King James Version)
Silent Night, Holy Night, F. Gruber, arr. J.D. Kimball (19th century)
Wesleyan Ringers
March of the Kings, G. Bizet (19th century)
Men’s Choir
In 1947, an exciting discovery occurred – the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in Qumran caves in Israel. Dating from 200 B.C. to 68 A.D., manuscript fragments written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek included a copy of the entire prophecy of Isaiah – the oldest copy of an Old Testament book ever discovered.
In 1952, the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was printed. This bible became widely used and is still important in churches in America.
Isaiah 40:3-5; 60:1-2 (Hebrew, then Revised Standard Version)
Gymnopedie #1, E. Satie (20th century)
Wesleyan Ringers
A Christmas Carol, C. Ives (20th century)
Chancel Choir
On March 3, 2008 the United Bible Societies celebrated the Kuranko language translation of the bible in Sierra Leone. This translation brought the bible to those living in northern Sierra Leone whose native language is Kuranko.
Luke 2:15-16 (African dialect/Fofanu (read by Jojo Annobil), then English)
Goin’ to Bethlehem, J. Althouse (21st century)
Chancel Choir