I composed the choral motet, “Incarnation” in the year 1992. In composing the text for the motet, I used the following themes that are expressed in the Christmas narratives of Matthew and Luke. The first theme is that of messenger, as represented by the angels. The second theme is peace, as felt by the shepherds as they received the angel’s message. The third theme is that of awe and wonder, as experienced by Mary, Simeon, and Anna. The fourth theme is that of light, as represented by the Star of Bethlehem, leading the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus. The fifth theme is that of Incarnation, God taking on our humanity, and we in response incarnating God’s Divinity within our own lives.
Here is the text I wrote for the motet.
Your birth, O Lord, moves the Angels to sing
and stirs the hearts of all on earth.
May we, sweet child of Beth’lem be
messengers of your wondrous birth.
Yours is the peace the shepherds know
which calms the fear within their hearts.
May we, Good Shepherd, always feel
the peace, the joy that you impart.
Your birth makes Simeon and Anna rejoice,
and makes sweet Mother Mary ponder.
May we, O Lord of the stable, be
as filled with hope, awe, and wonder.
Your Star made all darkness bright
and filled the Magis’ hearts with light.
Shine forth within our lives so we
may be your light for all to see.
How wondrous your love, O Christ Divine,
to share our human heartaches and strife.
May we, Incarnate brother, be
living signs of your love and life.
Jesus our hope, our love, our life.
© 1992, text by Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.
I scored this motet originally for four part choir, handbells, clarinets in Bb, Flutes, and piano. It is in the key of F major.
In 2018, I reimagined this motet as a piano song presented here.
