SATB
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Lyrics
Waiting anxiously
Waiting for the one
Name foretold
“King of Kings”
The LORD God promised us
Send us a deliverer
Israel, Living World
Look to Bethlehem
Stable babe
Manger laid
Your Savior of the world is here!
His name: EMMANUEL
Text from Isaiah 7:14 is also used: “… Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call his name Immanuel.”
About the Music
This piece draws on one of the oldest threads of the Christmas story: Israel’s long wait for the promised Messiah, and the moment his arrival is finally announced. Rather than the familiar warmth of a traditional carol, it takes a cinematic approach — building from a sense of ancient longing and expectation toward a bold, luminous proclamation. It’s an ideal fit for any Christmas or winter program looking for something with more dramatic weight and atmosphere than the usual “warm and fuzzy” fare. An optional cello part is included to deepen the texture and add cinematic resonance.
Behind the Music
When my wife and I hosted a podcast about music education, we had the pleasure of interviewing many different choir directors. One of those was Bryce Gage at Marble Falls High School. Following our conversation on the podcast, we decided it would be fun to collaborate on a commission for the Marble Falls High School choir. So in 2025, I began working on a piece for their upcoming Christmas concert. I knew early on I wanted to do something about the birth of Jesus, but I didn’t want to write something that sounded “typical” for Christmas. So I did what I enjoy doing most: writing something cinematic! Instead of focusing on the aftermath of Christ’s birth, I decided to write something focusing on the lead-up to the birth. The piece grows and grows as the world asks for a deliverer, and it ends the moment His birth is announced. Because of this, “The Arrival” felt like the most suitable title for the piece.
Additional Content Featuring The Arrival
The online premiere of the ’26–’27 CFM Choral Catalog, which features ten never-before-released choral compositions by Christian Fortner. During this online event, Christian speaks about the primary uses for each piece in your choir program. Whether you direct a middle school, high school, or college-level choir, there is something here for you!
