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| St. Nicholas |
Cantata means "sung" and is derived from the Italian word "cantare”; it’s a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir. This particular performance involved a full orchestra, adult choir, children’s choir and a tenor.
This was not billed as a Christmas or Holiday concert and it was not sponsored by any church or other religious organization. It came from a state college/community music organization (DuPage Chorale) preforming in the theater of a private secular liberal arts college (North Central College).
I found it both curious and uplifting
to see a secular musical ensemble loudly and shamelessly singing praises to God,
and all of it happening in a secular environment.
I wanted to share
some of the insightful music lyrics from the part of St. Nicholas; they read like
biblical psalms. I don’t know if these are actual quotes from the saint, but I
thought I’d share them nonetheless, since they seem as true today as they must have
been in his time.
“Poor man! I found him solitary,
racked
By doubt: born, bred, doomed to die
In everlasting fear of everlasting
death:
The foolish toy of time, the darling
of decay—
Hopeless, faithless, defying God.”
“O God! We are all weak sinful,
foolish men.
We pray from fear and from necessity
at death, in sickness or
private loss. Without the prick of
fear our conscience sleeps,
forgetful of Thy Grace.
Help us, O God! to see more clearly.
Tame our stubborn hearts.
Teach us to ask for less and offer
more in gratitude to Thee.
Pity our simplicity, for we are truly
pitiable in Thy sight.”
Here is something to remind us of the
gift of Christ at Christmas…
“O man! The world is set for you as
for a king!
Paradise is yours in loveliness.
The stars shine down for you, for you
the angels sing,
Yet you prefer your wilderness.
You hug the rack of self,
Embrace the lash of sin,
Pour your treasures out to bribe
distress.
You build your temples fair without
and foul within:
You cultivate your wilderness.
Yet Christ is yours. Yours!
For you He lived and died.”
God in mercy gave His son to bless you
all
To bring you life…”
If all this wasn't amazing enough for a secular event, the congregation was encouraged to
sing along with the following hymn…and they did!
“All people that on earth do dwell
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice!
Him serve with fear
His praise forth tell,
come ye before Him and rejoice.
O enter then His gates with praise
Approach with joy His courts unto,
Praise, laud and bless His name
always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good:
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
Amen.”
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