Music by Daniel Kallman
Lyrics by Christine Kallman
Version 1: SATB, full orchestra, organ, harp, piano, percussion; Version 2: SATB, winds, organ, harp, piano, percussion; 9’15”
A serene opening leads to a musical depiction of a broken peace, transcended by healing and grace as the work culminates in an extended jubilant Gloria.
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This work was first performed by massed choirs at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for their 1995 Juletide Fest. More information about the musical setting can be found here. The text is published in the anthology Soul Weavings: A Gathering of Women’s Prayers (ed. Lyn Klug, Augsburg Fortress Publ., 1996).
There is quiet at the dawning of the day,
A quiet that awaits the awakening of souls,
As all that God intends is given birth,
And Jesus is the Lord of all the garden of the earth.
There is healing in the fullness of the light,
A healing that begins in the terror of the night.
While splinters of the peace we shattered fly,
You, oh wounded one, are gently putting things to right.
Did we believe the earth could be so new,
The knots untied, the torture through,
Judgment exchanged for beauteous grace?
Stand tall all prisoners of the human race!
There is victory in the coming of the Lord,
A wider, fuller peace than any soul has ever known.
What daring love is this which grants us stand
Redeemed and whole and holding the triumphant Prince’s hand!
We praise our Lord’s dear name with all our power!
His is the reign, this the hour!
–Christine Kallman, copyright 1995, All Rights Reserved