Description

A Musical Retelling of the Nativity Story
For Unison/Two-Part Choir and Piano
Words by Bill L. Roper | Music by David Schwoebel

Told through nine original songs woven with scripture and narration, Child in the Manger brings the timeless Christmas story to life for choirs of any age. From Mary and Joseph's weary journey to Bethlehem, to shepherds startled by angels on a quiet hillside, to wise men following a star from a distant land, this musical retelling invites singers and congregation alike to behold the child in the manger.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this collection requires no costumes, props, or staging — though a simple nativity tableau can easily be assembled as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and wise men each take their place in the story. Choir members can double as narrators, stepping forward or delivering their lines in place. Several songs include an optional second part for a complementary melodic line, ideal for a solo instrument such as flute or violin in place of additional singers.

Perfect for:

• Christmas Eve or Advent worship services
• Sunday school and children's Christmas programs
• Intergenerational programming — assign individual songs to choirs of different ages for a multi-choir celebration
• Congregations with limited rehearsal time, thanks to built-in carol substitution options for any of the eight anthems

What's included:

• Full piano/choral scores for all nine songs
• Reproducible singer's pages for octavo distribution
• A ready-to-use program order with optional spoken narration
• A carol substitution guide, with five selections marked as especially accessible for a wide range of ages and mixed-ability choirs

Whether presented in full or adapted with familiar carols, Child in the Manger offers a warm, reverent, and singable way to share the wonder of Christ's birth with your congregation this Christmas season.

Also available:

• CGC77a (Accompaniment MP3 Bundle)
• CGC77e (Digital Download Score with Reproducible Choir Parts)