Christmas Opera

This handwritten sheet brings together two distinct moments of worship composed by Gbenga A. Dada. The first piece, "Christmas Opera," is a gentle, narrative setting drawn directly from the Gospel of Matthew. It captures the angel’s reassuring message to Joseph, telling him not to be afraid. For a choir, this short piece works wonderfully during Advent lessons and carols or Christmas pageants. The melody unfolds like a story, delivering the scriptural promise that the child will save the people from their sins.

The second piece on the page, "Noyaenmwan Tomamwan," shifts the mood entirely. It is a solemn setting of the Kyrie eleison in Bini (Edo). Marked to be sung at a grave tempo, it follows the traditional call-and-response pattern between a solo cantor and the full choir. The repeated plea for mercy—"Noyaenmwan mwan itohan"—invites the congregation into a deep, reflective space during the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass.

Seeing these two pieces shared on a single page reflects the everyday reality of our choir lofts. Scriptural English storytelling and indigenous liturgical chants often sit side by side in the same rehearsal folder, giving directors the varied music they need to lead the faithful through the different seasons and rites of the Church.