Take Note

Thank you for listening to my new cantata. I devote so many hours to projects like this, but it’s all worth it to know that you are singing and sharing my music with your people.

We’ve all experienced someone’s presence. We’ve all felt their absence. Being present is very powerful. Being absent is just as powerful.

Christmas Presence explores this power as it impacts this season. Here is how each piece contributes to the message:

• “The World Awaits Your Coming” — As the people of the earth feel the power of hate and war, we long for the Lord to live among us and bring a new Kingdom of peace and love. Here, we sing of the expectation and joy of the Lord’s presence.
• “We Are Here, God is Here” — We experience the miracle of worship as we become aware of “God With Us.” The piece is meant to express a sense of power and mystery.
• “Tiny Miracle” — Everyone gets excited about welcoming a new baby into the world. With energy and delight, we celebrate the coming of the holy Child.
• “Angels Came to Earth One Night” — In the peacefulness of the fields, the shepherds are suddenly visited by a heavenly presence. Imagine their new sense of hope as the angels come to them. The music suggests the comfort and the celebration of the angels’ message.
• “Call of the Magi” — The Magi could have seen the star and simply recorded the event. Instead, they made a difficult journey to simply BE in the presence of the newborn King. Here, I borrowed a tune usually meant for the angels to help us follow the Magi to the holy Child.
• “Still They Are Here” — Presence and absence are felt most powerfully when we think of our loved ones. I wanted to help you acknowledge and minister to hearts who need comfort during the season. Later in the piece, the text says, “When we share with others all the love they showed us, still they are here.”
• “Hope, Love, and Joy to the World (Be a Christmas Presence)” — My wife Heather said, “Yes, this is all great, but then we need to become the Christmas presence in the world. We need to BE the presence of hope, love, and joy where they are absent.” I used a lesser-known traditional tune to send our people forth with a fresh desire to share the presence of the Lord.
• “Go Tell It Where I Send Thee” — And then comes a final “sending out” song. You may choose to sing it after your benediction. Question: “Where shall I send thee?” Answer: “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!”

by Pepper Choplin

About Pepper Choplin

Pepper Chopin currently has over two hundred anthems in addition to seven choral musicals. His musical experiences range from church musician to theme park entertainer. He has performed musical styles from rock to classical to bluegrass. Pepper leads events throughout the country as composer, clinician, conductor and entertainer. Audiences respond with laughter and with tears as he conducts and sings his unique mix of inspirational and humorous music in churches and conferences.