SKU: A0.727123

The Christmas Wish
Vocal Solo for Alto
Would you like a different kind of Christmas wish this year? Here it is!
This song is based on the poem Christmas Wishes written by contemporary author and poet Mary White Pustrom. Mary wrote many poems with the theme of Christmas, including what she thought people should wish for at Christmas. While so many adults wish for a new car, a sparkling diamond ring, or celebrating with a nice vacation in the tropics, she believes that Christmas wishes should be taken a step further by considering the wishes and needs of others more so than our own. In her poem Christmas Wishes, her desire for reaching out to others and granting them their wishes for the simple things in life take on great meaning:

Christmas Wishes

by Mary White Pustrom

Now that Christmas is drawing near I cannot help but see

All the poor and needy people who are reaching out to me.

It seems that everywhere I look there is a need to fill;

I feel so inadequate when their wishes I can't fill.

Among the lights and decorations, there is hunger and despair,

Faces filled with sadness while bright carols fill the air;

Little children who are cold and hungry wait for Santa Claus,

Wishing that he would bring them food, for that's a worthy cause.

 Others laughing, smiling, singing - so completely unaware

Of all the pain and suffering that's around them everywhere;

They wish for generosity in our thoughts, time, and deeds,

And wish that here at Christmas time, someone could fill their needs.

My wish is that we reach out to our sisters and our brothers,

Who depend on us for kindness from one to another;

Fill our hearts with Christmas cheer, and teach us how to share,

So that Christmas wishes will be fulfilled all throughout the year.

It sounds like she might have the right idea. At this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in buying and receiving presents, the lights, and the Christmas tree, without considering the simple needs of others. Maybe this year, these simple wishes will come true for some:

·        Sick little children to be healed

·        Homeless people and children to find a family

·        For the less fortunate to have enough food, clothing, shelter, and shoes on their feet

·        That no one spends Christmas lonely and alone, and spent the way it should be, with loving family and friends.

 Most of all, wish that by caring for one another, Christmas wishes would come true all year long.

~ Carol Troutman Wiggins

SKU: A0.964549

Chaplet of the Holy Face is a musical setting of the text of a Catholic devotion known by the same title.  Based on Psalm 68:1, Arise, O Lord and let Thy enemies be scattered, six invocations of this Psalm verse is alternated with the Gloria Patri five times, and concludes with the Psalm verse sung three times, in honor of the 3 year public life of Jesus Christ. The text is sung in reparation for sins that most offend God, the disfiguring facial wounds which Jesus received during His sacred Passion, and to repel and defeat God's enemies. Devotees of the Holy Face Devotion will especially appreciate this powerful work.  
This versatile piece may be performed in a number of ways; with a solo voice throughout, a soloist or cantor and group of singers, or for choral singing. The accompaniment will work equally well played on piano or organ, or it could even be sung unaccompanied. It would also be effective sung by a treble or youth choir alternating verses with an adult choir. Suitable for public performance or personal devotional use.  



This work may be sung by a individual or a group, or may be sung by a cantor alternating with a group. It is suitable for personal or liturgical use.
 
 

SKU: C7.CGA1383

UPC: 749193020494.

Another jewel from Helen Kemp! Written for combined SATB and unison choirs, this anthem of praise will be a delightful addition to any worship service or choral festival. Treble voices introduce the upbeat, joyful melody and mixed voices add rich harmony to complement the text, which gives thanks to God for the gift of community.

SKU: C7.CGA396

UPC: 749193017951.

The folk-like quality of this pentatonic melody begins this anthem, followed by a second melody by the composer, which combined to make a two part in the third stanza. If the choir learns the melodies of the first and second stanzas, it will be possible for two parts, when sung together, to be very flexible as to which singers do the parts. The 'Beach Spring' tune from 'THE SACRED HARP', 1844, works well with this very well known text. Composer: Hopson, Hal H. Text Author: Thrupp, Dorothy Ann.

SKU: C7.CGA1126

UPC: 749193013137.

This gentle anthem, based on Psalm 72:18-19, offers a fitting ascription of praise to the One who alone does wondrous things. The simple melody lies comfortably within a one-octave range while also finding strong support from the keyboard accompaniment. Sung in unison, the anthem works well for younger and older children's choirs. Budding two part choirs, however, will enjoy the final section of the piece that offers the chance for two part singing.