"FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN"

When the Christmas season approaches, choir lofts across Nigeria begin to buzz with the familiar, joyful challenge of preparing this magnificent chorus. Drawing its text directly from the prophetic words of Isaiah 9:6, "For Unto Us a Child is Born" announces the arrival of the Messiah with an energy that is impossible to ignore. The words themselves—proclaiming the child who will carry the government upon His shoulders—build into a glorious declaration of His names: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Singing this piece is a thrilling experience for any choir. The vocal lines weave and chase each other, passing the joyful news from one voice part to the next before uniting in those massive, triumphant chords on "Wonderful" and "Counsellor." It requires intense focus and breath control, especially during the long, rolling runs that decorate the word "born," but the effort always pays off. When the full choir lands together on those majestic titles of Christ, the sheer volume and conviction can lift an entire congregation to its feet.

Often programmed for Christmas concerts, carol services, and festive Masses, this chorus brings a profound sense of celebration to the liturgy. It captures the awe of the Incarnation—the mystery of the Almighty God arriving as a vulnerable child. For the singers who rehearse it week after week, and the faithful who hear it ring out from the sanctuary, it remains a powerful expression of Christmas joy and a highlight of the season's worship.