Begin by going to my recitation of this passage with the accompanying Song Meditation. Simply copy this link and paste in your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X0Qw_Dq4T8 As you listen, you may follow along with the following text
The Birth of Jesus. 1 [a]In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus[b] that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son.[c] She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Night of Silence / Silent Night Counterpoint CREDITS
Kantor, Daniel © 1984 by GIA Publication, Inc. 7404 S., Mason Ave. Chicago, IL 60638; http://www.ocp.org/compositions/30161
This arrangement by Paulo J. Almeida http://www.pauloalmeida.com/
Piano: Laurence Rosania http://www.ocp.org/artists/1268
Violin: Christiana Liberis http://www.christianaliberis.com/
Cello: E. Zoe Hassman
Flute: Matthew Wright http://facebook.com/matthewalanwright
Oboe: James Mobley https://www.facebook.com/jmdesignstudio
Glockenspiel / Bells: Paulo J. Almeida http://www.pauloalmeida.com/
Night of Silence / Silent Night Counterpoint
Cold are the people—winter of life
We tremble in shadow this cold winter night
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping.
Will they ever echo the sunrise?
Fire of hope you’re are only warmth—
Weary! You’re flame may be dying soon.
Silent Night, Holy Night,
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round young virgin, mother and child,
Holy infant so tender and mild—
Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!
Voice in the distance calls through the night
On wind you enfold us, you speak of a light!
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly
Echoes of a dawn so embracing!
Breathless love awaits darkened souls
Soon we will know of the morning!
Spirit among us, shine like a star!
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar.
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely
Rising in the warmth of your son’s Love!
Star unknowing of night or day
Spirit, we wait for you loving son!
You have just heard part of the traditional Christmas proclamation including Daniel Kantor’s Night of Silence with Franz Gruber’s Silent Night in counterpoint.
- What feelings are evoked?
I love the fact that Kanter’s NIGHT OF SILENCE was composed as a counterpoint to SILENT NIGHT. If you like, repeat the track, with your group singing verses of Silent Night to my singing NIGHT OF SILENCE. That experience, or just knowing about the song’s complementarity, offers a visceral understanding that unity and diversity can and must co-exist in our world for Peace to be realized.
frjamesdiluzio 