MARANATHA COME LORD

"Maranatha Come Lord" by Rev. Fr. Okwy Tony Umeh is a classic, energetic Advent call to worship. The refrain is built entirely around that ancient, urgent plea of the early Church—"Maranatha"—asking Christ to come. It sets a mood of active, hopeful waiting that works wonderfully as an entrance hymn during the four weeks of Advent, immediately drawing the congregation into the spirit of the season.

The verses draw directly from the cries of John the Baptist and the prophets, urging the people to "prepare a way" and let every mountain be leveled. In the choir loft, the arrangement offers a lively, Quasi-Allegro tempo where the soprano line leads the urgent call while the lower voices provide rhythmic, echoing responses. This call-and-response dynamic keeps the piece moving forward with a sense of purpose, mirroring the active spiritual preparation of the Advent season.