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Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

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O Come Let Us Adore Him

December 7, 2023 By Stanton Lanier 6 Comments

The new release O Come Let Us Adore Him is my 29th Christmas instrumental, joining I Saw Three Ships and albums December Peace and December Peace II.  You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all music services worldwide. You can also click below to listen O Come Let Us Adore Him as you read why and how I composed it.

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/O-Come-Let-Us-Adore-Him-Stanton-Lanier-c2023-MTLTW.mp3

 

Throughout 2023 I knew I wanted to finish the year with a new Christmas recording. There are so many wonderful hymns and melodies composed over centuries of time. O Come Let Us Adore Him happened in 1743. I have fond memories of singing the first line at Christmas time since childhood, which is also the chorus for the Christmas hymn O Come All Ye Faithful. Both were written by John Francis Wade.

I wanted the arrangement to be big, symbolizing the enormous amount of adoration, awe, and wonder in heaven when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. As Creator of the universe and Savior of the world He is worthy of my adoration and worship on earth as well. I also wanted to interweave some favorite traditional Christmas hymns into the composition. You will hear portions of Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and Joy to the World, each presented in a unique way, overlaying or complimenting the O Come Let Us Adore Him main theme.

As I worked on this project there was a sense of how breathtaking and awe inspiring the scene in heaven would have been if we could have witnessed it. Following Christ’s humble birth in a manger, we get a glimpse of heaven’s glory in the Luke 2:8-15 Scripture passage, where verses 13 and 14 read, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

To emphasize how big God is and how full His presence was when Jesus came to earth as a new born baby, the music has multiple bass lines with low strings, combined with layers of bass, tenor, alto, and soprano choirs, and shining moments of high strings throughout the piece. The melodies of the main theme and three other Christmas hymns are shared between cello, English horn, French horn, alto and soprano choirs, flute, and oboe. The piano is way in the back and ties everything together as it plays throughout the song. The phrase “O come” is repeated in the beginning, between sections along the way, and at the end, to express the adoration in heaven and on earth for our Savior. Silent Night overlays beautifully with the main theme, Away in a Manger takes turns, and the notes from Joy to the World sing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” I wanted “is come” and “O Come” to be played several times to finish the piece, followed by all of the musical elements slowly fading into eternity. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy!

How does O Come Let Us Adore Him speak to you this Christmas?

O Come Let Us Adore Him (1743, by John Francis Wade who also wrote O Come All Ye Faithful, using the first line as the chorus)

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

For he alone is worthy, For he alone is worthy, For he alone is worthy, Christ the Lord.

Let’s praise his name together, Let’s praise his name together, Let’s praise his name together, Christ the Lord.

We’ll give him all the glory, We’ll give him all the glory, We’ll give him all the glory, Christ the Lord.

 

Filed Under: Inspiration, Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: Away in a Manger, Christmas, Christmas Instrumental, Joy to the World, Luke 2:8-15, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Come Let Us Adore Him, Silent Night

Day 25 for “31 Days of December Peace” ~ Shepherds and Stars

December 25, 2017 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

Click above to listen to Shepherds and Stars as you read, from December Peace (Best Holiday Album, ZMR Awards). If you enjoy, consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen on Spotify, Pandora Holiday Channel, Apple Music and all other digital streaming services.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or PDF eBook). Also available from Amazon Kindle, iTunes, and other e-Readers.

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

Shepherds and Stars ~ by Stanton Lanier, (Copyright 2012, Stanton Lanier, not to be re-published without permission)

“The aim and final end of all music should be unto the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

In arranging and composing for December Peace, my heart was to offer God’s peace and rest through a distinctive collection of traditional and original piano melodies. Johann Sebastian Bach, my all-time favorite composer, once said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” In tribute to him, the album opens with his timeless music known as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

When my parents didn’t let me quit piano lessons in 7th grade, I had no way of knowing that one day I would create my own arrangement of this world-renowned melody. Bach’s legacy of glorifying God and refreshing souls lives on, as Jesu is performed at weddings around the world nearly 300 years after its composition.

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them… saying, “Today… a Savior has been born to you.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke, 60 A.D.

ShepStars Image

In the fullness and busyness of the Christmas season, these words taken from Luke 2:8-15 give me reason to pause on Christmas Day. They inspired one of my favorite original compositions titled Shepherds and Stars, which expresses the heart of December Peace. Close your eyes and visit the scene. See the moon and stars shining, hear the sounds of fields at night, smell the aroma of dew and sheep… Imagine seeing the angel, announcing the Savior’s birth, and then the night sky filling with countless angels speaking of glory to God, and peace to men.

As I reflected on this story, here are two things I noticed:

1. The shepherds decided the event described to them was worth a visit. As you listen for God’s gentle whisper, what activity is He inviting you into?

2. We are all “shepherds in the field” living out daily life. God wants us to have encounters with Him. He wants to speak into our lives. Will you be intentional to watch for Him?

During this stressful and busy time of year, remember to pause on Christmas Day. Listen for God’s gentle whisper. Watch for His activity. Behold His glory. Refresh in His presence.

Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: 31 Days of December Peace, December Peace, Luke 2, Luke 2:8-15, Scripture Inspired Piano, Shepherds and Stars

December 25th ~ Shepherds and Stars

December 25, 2015 By Stanton Lanier 2 Comments

https://www.stantonlanier.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/06-Shepherds-and-Stars-StantonLanierc2009.mp3

Click above to listen to Shepherds and Stars as you read (inspired by Luke 2). This original song is from 2009 Best Holiday Album December Peace (ZMR Awards, winning over Enya and Yo-Yo Ma). If you enjoy, please consider sampling and ordering the CD, MP3 Album or sheet music. You can also listen and download on iTunes and all other digital outlets.

This story is from 31 Days of December Peace (soft cover or eBook). Also available from Amazon Kindle, iTunes, and other e-Readers.

Where could you use some “December Peace” today?

Shepherds and Stars ~ by Stanton Lanier, (Copyright 2012, Stanton Lanier, not to be re-published without permission)

“The aim and final end of all music should be unto the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)

In arranging and composing for December Peace, my heart was to offer God’s peace and rest through a distinctive collection of traditional and original piano melodies. Johann Sebastian Bach, my all-time favorite composer, once said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” In tribute to him, the album opens with his timeless music known as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

When my parents didn’t let me quit piano lessons in 7th grade, I had no way of knowing that one day I would create my own arrangement of this world-renowned melody. Bach’s legacy of glorifying God and refreshing souls lives on, as Jesu is performed at weddings around the world nearly 300 years after its composition.

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them… saying, “Today… a Savior has been born to you.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke, 60 A.D.

ShepStars Image

In the fullness and busyness of the Christmas season, these words taken from Luke 2:8-15 give me reason to pause on Christmas Day. They inspired one of my favorite original compositions titled Shepherds and Stars, which expresses the heart of December Peace. Close your eyes and visit the scene. See the moon and stars shining, hear the sounds of fields at night, smell the aroma of dew and sheep… Imagine seeing the angel, announcing the Savior’s birth, and then the night sky filling with countless angels speaking of glory to God, and peace to men.

As I reflected on this story, here are two things I noticed:

1. The shepherds decided the event described to them was worth a visit. As you listen for God’s gentle whisper, what activity is He inviting you into?

2. We are all “shepherds in the field” living out daily life. God wants us to have encounters with Him. He wants to speak into our lives. Will you be intentional to watch for Him?

During this stressful and busy time of year, remember to pause on Christmas Day. Listen for God’s gentle whisper. Watch for His activity. Behold His glory. Refresh in His presence.

Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: Music Stories, Spiritual Journey Tagged With: 31 Days of December Peace, December Peace, Luke 2, Luke 2:8-15, Scripture Inspired Piano, Shepherds and Stars

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