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(The Birth Celebration)
Pure Baroque Joy
This is IT – the moment we’ve been building toward! “For Unto Us a Child is Born” is the celebration of Christ’s birth, written in the same joyful fugue style as Handel’s famous version. Multiple voice parts entering, weaving, celebrating together that the child is born, the Son is given!
The Biblical Foundation
Isaiah 9:6 is the source: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Luke 2:11 announces the fulfillment: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
This isn’t just ANY child – this is THE child. The one promised. The one prophesied. The one who changes everything.
The Baroque Counterpoint
In true Handel style, this piece features:
- Fugue entries (each voice part entering with “For unto us”)
- Melismatic runs on “Wonderful” and “Counselor”
- Call-and-response between soloists and choir
- Building energy as more voices join
- Baroque trumpet fanfares punctuating the joy
- Final glorious cadence with all forces combined
I remember the first time our choir performed a piece like this – the conductor had us practice the fugue entries over and over until we could enter at exactly the right moment without hesitation. When it finally came together, when all the parts locked in – pure magic!
Writing This Celebration
The lyrics follow the biblical text closely but expand for baroque repetition:
“For unto us a child is born
On this holy, holy morn
Heaven’s breaking through the night
Glory shining, purest light”
Then the chorus declares each of His names: “Wonderful! Counselor! Mighty God! Prince of Peace!”
The bridge features call-and-response: SOLOIST: “Wonderful!” CHOIR: “Wonderful!” SOLOIST: “Counselor!” CHOIR: “Counselor!”
Building to the final declaration: “The King has come!”
The Theology
Each title in Isaiah 9:6 reveals something profound:
Wonderful Counselor – He gives wisdom beyond human understanding (Colossians 2:3: “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”)
Mighty God – He isn’t just a good teacher; He’s fully divine (John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”)
Everlasting Father – He’s the source of eternal life and provision (John 14:9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father”)
Prince of Peace – He brings reconciliation between God and humanity (Ephesians 2:14: “For he himself is our peace”)
Why This Matters
At Christmas, we often focus on the baby in the manger – and rightly so! But Isaiah 9:6 reminds us that this baby IS the Mighty God. This child IS the Everlasting Father. The manger and the throne aren’t contradictory – they’re the same story.
Philippians 2:6-7 explains, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
My Choir Memory
Singing “Glo-o-o-o-oria” with those long baroque runs was always so joyful! Even when my voice was tired, even when the notes were challenging, there was something about singing celebration that lifted your spirit. You couldn’t help but smile.
That’s what “For Unto Us” should do – make you smile, make you want to dance, make you celebrate that God kept His promise and the King has come!
For unto us a child is born! Celebrate!
Publishing Note:
Album Title: The Modern Messiah
Artist Name: Melanie Grace
Published Artist Credit: Claude H. Becker
Genre: Baroque Oratorio / Classical Sacred Music
Total Songs: 14
Album Length: 42-48 minutes
Musical Style: Complete baroque oratorio in the tradition of Handel’s Messiah, featuring SATB choir, baroque soloists (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), and full baroque orchestra (harpsichord, strings, oboe, baroque trumpet, timpani, organ). All original lyrics rooted in Scripture, following the three-part oratorio structure: Part I – The Promise (Prophecy & Birth), Part II – The Passion (Mission & Sacrifice), Part III – The Victory (Resurrection & Reign).
Blog Series Structure:
Blog 1: Introduction (Personal story, choir background, why create this)
Blogs 2-15: One blog per song in album order
Blog 16: Closing (Call to bring baroque to new generation)
In loving memory of Dad, who taught me to find joy in unexpected places and to never stop singing. This oratorio is my offering – to the church, to the next generation, and to the King of Kings who is worthy of all our praise. Until we sing together in heaven, I’ll keep singing here.
