When I was composing and arranging for this piece, I wanted to express the deep longing of humanity for hope, for heaven, for salvation. The inspiration for this centuries old hymn comes from Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The three strikes on the low E note which open and close the piece symbolize the hammer blows nailing Jesus to the cross. This performance was filmed live at a “December Peace” concert in Virginia.