In this week’s Rhythm of Worship newsletter, we highlighted our top 25 modern/contemporary Christmas anthems. We asked some of our contemporary arrangers to share the stories behind their most meaningful or favorite Christmas anthem they have arranged. Enjoy these insights and the inspiration behind the music!
Cliff Duren
Christ Has Come
I’ll never forget the first time I co-wrote a song with Dave Clark. I was arranging a musical for him at Lillenas. We were getting really close to the recording session but still had one song that was missing. The night before the session, he called me and said, “I know you’re an arranger, but do you write songs as well?” Something had fallen through with a song, and he wanted us to write something very specific to support a particular moment in the musical… the musical that we were recording the next day.
I don’t think I slept that night, but there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to write a song with one of my heroes. I met him at the studio the next morning, sat at the piano and let him hear a melody I had written during the night that supported his lyric and vision. He loved it (fortunately!) and we recorded it later that afternoon.
I’m so glad I said “yes” to Dave’s kind invitation. Since then, we’ve become great friends and have written dozens of songs together. Of those songs, Christ Has Come is one of my favorites.
Brad Nix
Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming
Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to write or arrange many Christmas anthems, so it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite. However, I’ve always been drawn to Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming. The melody of this old carol is absolutely perfect, and the imagery displayed in the lyrics is breathtaking. The metaphor of Christ as a tender flower who “dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere” is incredibly moving to me.
I wrote a piano arrangement of this tune many years ago, and then I had the opportunity to transform it into a choral anthem for Lorenz. I wanted the choral version to vividly capture the sense of mystery found in the text, and this was hopefully accomplished through some atmospheric piano writing and vocal layering. Most of all, I wanted to leave both singers and listeners with a sense of amazement that God would take on flesh to redeem us.
I’ve had the opportunity to conduct this piece at several Christmas and Christmas Eve services over the years, and it always seems to create a deep sense of worship. This, as a writer, is my highest aim. To God be the glory!
Marty Parks
Only A Silent Night
Several years ago, it occurred to me that some events really do call for extravagance. If we can believe the biblical record at all, then the worship of God is one of those events. From the Old Testament’s description of spectacular experiences to the New Testament’s depiction of an outcast woman pouring out all she had at the feet of Jesus, it’s clear that when approaching God, there’s a distinct call for extravagance.
And when God chose to approach us, He did so in a unique and extravagant way. Only a certain combination of people, places, and circumstances would do, and when all these were in place, then the song of the herald angels could offer the earth something glorious. It was a message that impacted the world then, and it still does today.
Jay Rouse
The First Noel
This has long been one of my most favorite Christmas carols. Lyrically it takes you on a journey all the way through the Christmas story. Using the idea of a journey as my inspiration, I set out to make this classic, much-loved carol into a cinematic sojourn for the listener and the choir alike. There are a handful of key changes, and I pass the melody around a good bit, but eventually you arrive at a powerful statement of the chorus that both choir and congregation can sing. I feel like it’s perfect for Christmas Eve or any Sunday in December. Merry Christmas!
You can also see our original post on Composers’ Favorite Christmas Anthems here.
