Bless This Child (#1 of Advent Triptych)

This performance is from Musica Sacra's highly successful 2002 CD titled 'Christmas A Cappella' and is used by permission of the choir and its director, Indra Hughes.
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You may find information on how to purchase this CD on the choir's website via the 'choral catalogue' link below.

Prof. Peter Godfrey of Waikanae, New Zealand commissioned the 'Advent Triptych' in 1995, choosing local poet Shirley Erana Murray to provide the text. The Waikanae Chorale premiered the first anthem that year, the whole cycle being successfully premiered in the following year by the Southern Consort of Voices of Dunedin directed by the late Jack Speirs.

Advent Triptych #1 (Bless This Child)

This year, this year who comes
in form of God’s befriending
What voice to cry for peace?
A child with human face
to plead compassion’s case
entreat our conflict’s ending,
Bless this child, oh bless this child.

Make way, make way for signs
of angel visitation
What daughter or what son
shall be the coming one,
new Christ in love begun,
new light of revelation,
Bless this child, oh bless this child.

Make room, make room, the time
is near to be awaking,
For in creation’s womb
the Word has made a home,
The seed for summer bloom
within the earth is breaking,
Bless this child, oh bless this child.

© Shirley Erana Murray

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