When my wife, Mary, and I embarked on composing Waiting for Love it was with an eye toward helping children celebrate the season of Advent/Christmas in a meaningful way through performing the cantata as a whole and by incorporating the songs into their catechesis and their liturgies.
It was 2005, and I was in search of a cantata for my children’s choir to prepare and offer. In addition, I wondered about the possibility of creating additional verses for “What Child Is This,” which is a good Christmastide Communion processional, yet never has enough verses. So I invited Mary to work with me on a new piece. The result, after much work and revision, is the present edition of the cantata.
In this article I hope to outline for you those songs of Waiting for Love that can help us enter into the liturgical mysteries of Advent and Christmas in a more spiritually profound way. Not all of the songs will lend themselves to liturgical use, but those that do have connections with the Scripture readings of the season as well as the season’s imagery may find themselves helpful in aiding the assembly to worship the God of the Incarnation.
The cantata is comprised of twelve songs: eight for Advent, three for Christmas, and a closing song that is closely tied to the eschatological theology of Advent:
“We Are Called”
The text of the song is based on Micah 6 and Isaiah 40. On the Second Sunday of Advent, year B, we hear the beautiful reading from Isaiah 40: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says the Lord.” Isaiah’s words to the exiled Israelites gives them assurance that God’s promises to his people will be fulfilled. The refrain proclaims the mission of all believers: to love God and one another, and to walk humbly before him. This song is appropriate for liturgical use on those Sundays of Advent wherein we hear of John the Baptist: Second and Third Sundays in year A; Second Sunday in year B; Second and Third Sundays in year C.
“Tell the World”
Inspired by Isaiah 9:1–6, this song proclaims the excitement of God’s imminent promise of a messiah. It is in this song that the Advent theme of joyful anticipation is made manifest in this collection, like children awaiting a gift at Christmas. This song is appropriate all throughout Advent. Oddly enough, this passage from Isaiah is proclaimed not during Advent, but during Christmas: Mass During the Night (Midnight Mass). What a wonderful way to tie together Advent and Christmas!
“Waiting for Love”
This song expresses the longing we have for Jesus, first in his historical context as the Messiah, then in his return in glory. Appropriate anytime during Advent, this is especially appropriate on the Fourth Sunday in year A, when we read from Matthew that the angel proclaimed to Joseph that the child was to be called “Emmanuel: God-is-with-us.”
“Let Us Go Up”
A spirited proclamation based on Isaiah 2:1–5, this song emits the joy that comes from ascending the mountain of the Lord, a mountain that is not a fortress in war, but a temple of love, where God will teach all people his ways. While appropriate throughout the season of Advent, this song is especially appropriate on the First Sunday in year A, when we hear that reading proclaimed. The song is not a retelling of the reading but an expression of its effect on the heart.
“O Gentle Mother”
The Gospel stories of the Annunciation and the Visitation are closely related, and are brought together in this song. Mary, the model for all Christians, trusts in God and gives herself completely to his will. She teaches us to do the same, for it is only in doing God’s will wholly and completely that we find true joy and peace. In this song we honor she who would be the first tabernacle, theotokos, the “God bearer.” The joy of this song and its treatment of the text make it most appropriate for the Fourth Sunday in all years, and also for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8.
“Prepare a Way”
The story of John the Baptist is intimately woven through the story of Jesus’ birth and the beginning of his public ministry. The text of this song, based on John’s words and the prophecy of Isaiah, bids us to prepare our hearts to receive the Lord whenever he comes, for he comes to bring light, joy, and peace.
This kin of Jesus is not himself the messiah, but points the way to the Christ, announcing the news that the Savior is among us. This is the joyful message of this song. This song is especially appropriate on the Second and Third Sundays in each year.
One of the most beautiful Christmas carols, this beloved piece is a foundational part of celebrating the Christmas season. The place of this carol within the cantata, along with its new added text, is meant to broaden its use as a carol depicting Mary, Joseph, and the child as a new family. While the original text in particular tends to focus primarily on mother and child, we wished here to include Saint Joseph as well.
There are nine verses for this piece, the three original verses and six new ones (three for the cantata and three more for use during Communion processions). While this carol is appropriate all throughout Christmastide, it is especially appropriate for use on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The number of verses, especially the inclusion of three eucharistic verses, makes this especially useful during Communion processions.
“Something Wonderful”
Though we often refer to the Christ as a mighty king, the God-Made-Man came to us as a newborn. Written in the style of a lullaby, this song is meant to reflect the gentleness of a sleeping child and the love a new mother feels for her newborn. The imagery of the manger in the stable makes this particularly appropriate for use in Christmas Eve liturgies, as a complement to carols like “Silent Night.” As the imagery is continued into Christmastide, so too is this song appropriate during the season.
The text of this song is written to evoke a response from those who long to see the Christ child: “Tell us, why have you come?” The shepherds, the wise men, even the animals wish to draw near to the baby Jesus, because of the goodness that he brings from God. We rejoice with the angels as the multitude of heavenly hosts sing out their glory to God. Finally, we respond in our time that the birth of the Christ will lead us to follow him as he guides us in our daily lives. Inspired by Luke 2:8–18, this is an appropriate song for Christmas Eve and also for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God on January 1.
“Glory to the Lamb”
While Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas, more importantly it bids us to look toward Christ’s return at the end of time. This song has its basis in Matthew 25:31–32a and Revelation 5:12–13, giving us an eschatological glimpse of the promise of God. The eschatological imagery therefore makes this an appropriate song throughout Advent, especially at the beginning of the season.
With the listing of songs provided from this collection, it is my hope that your community may find something here that can be helpful in celebrating the Advent and Christmas season with the joy of one who awaits the Lord with steadfast hope.
Gerard Chiusano started in music ministry at the age of 10. He studied at The Juilliard School, Mannes College of Music, and Manhattan School of Music, all in New York City. As a director of music, he has served parishes in the Dioceses of Paterson and Metuchen in New Jersey.
Originally published in Today’s Liturgy © 2016 OCP. All rights reserved.