Emmanuel Bia

"Emmanuel Bia" captures the deep longing and expectation of the Advent season. Written by Emma Atuanya, the piece is a gentle but urgent plea for God-with-us to come down to His people. The choir sings of preparing the way, asking the Lord to make the rough paths smooth ("mee ụzọ nile ka ọ dịrị larịị") as the congregation waits in joyful hope.

The second verse draws beautifully on the imagery of Psalm 42, comparing the soul's thirst for Jesus to a deer panting for streams of water ("Dị ka nwa ele si achọ mmiri"). This makes it a profound choice for Entrance processions or Offertory during the weeks leading up to Christmas, grounding the liturgy in a spirit of quiet, earnest anticipation.