The Coming of the Lord

When we prepare our choir folders for the Advent season, we are always looking for pieces that capture that unique mix of quiet anticipation and joyful proclamation. Pepper Choplin’s "The Coming of the Lord" does exactly this, drawing heavily on the prophetic imagery of Isaiah and the psalms. It opens with a rhythmic, driving call to "lift up your heads, O gates" and "make the highway straight," setting a tone of active, urgent preparation rather than passive waiting.

As the piece unfolds, the energy builds with the promise that "God's glory will descend." The arrangement brilliantly weaves in the familiar, ancient melody of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" as a solo line, floating above the choir's rhythmic accompaniment. This moment in rehearsal always feels special, bridging the centuries-old longing of Israel with our own present-day wait for Christ.

The final section bursts into a triumphant vision of the Kingdom—where the deaf hear, the blind see, and the lame leap for joy. It culminates in a resounding "Rejoice!" that perfectly fits the mood of Gaudete Sunday or any late Advent liturgy. It is a fantastic anthem for a parish choir to sing as the final days of preparation draw to a close, reminding the congregation that our God will indeed come to us.