Now without further ado, please join me in welcoming Artistic Director Joshua Habermann and your Santa Fe Desert Chorale [Applause] Perhaps it does not begin, Perhaps it is always.

Perhaps it takes a lifetime to open our eyes, to learn to see the luminous line of the map in the dark the vigil flame in the house of the heart the love so searing we can't keep from singing, the luminous line of the map in the dark the vigil flame in the house of the heart the love so searing we can't keep from singing, from crying out.

Perhaps it does not begin, Perhaps it is always.

Perhaps it takes a lifetime to open our eyes, to learn to see the luminous line of the map in the dark the vigil flame in the house of the heart the love so searing we can't keep from singing, the luminous line of the map in the dark the vigil flame in the house of the heart the love so searing we can't keep from singing, from crying out.

Perhaps this day the light begins Perhaps this day the light begins in us.

Perhaps this day the light begins We are where the light begins Perhaps it does not begin, Perhaps it is always.

little tree little silent Christmas tree you are so little you are more like a flower who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away?

see I will comfort you because you smell so sweetly I will kiss your cool bark and hug you safe and tight just as your mother would, only don’t be afraid the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, the balls, the chains red and gold, the fluffy threads, put up your little arms and I’ll give them all to you to hold every finger shall have its ring and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy then when you’re quite dressed you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see and how they’ll stare!

Oh, but you’ll be very proud Oh, but you’ll be very proud Oh, but you’ll be very proud and my little sister and I will take hands and looking up at our beautiful tree we’ll dance and sing “Noel Noel!” [Applause] Out of curiosity, how many are new to Desert Chorale?

How many are coming to the Desert Chorale for the first time at this concert?

Welcome.

We're glad you're here.

I'm going to say something for your benefit because everybody else knows what's about to happen.

[Laughter] Every year we sing a "Magnum Mysterium" text.

So that's a text that's particularly associated with this time of year.

And we're going to do that now.

And very often we have a new composer for you to explore.

But this year we decided to bring back an old favorite.

And it's because we got so many requests.

Thank you.

Yes, we read the emails you send us.

[Laughter] So we're going to bring back Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium."

Many of you know this piece from previous concerts.

It has become one of the most beloved pieces of the last 30 years since it was written.

And we might well ask, why?

Well, it is the miracle of this piece that it uses very simple means to create such extraordinary beauty.

Simple lines intertwining one with another.

Somehow after only six or seven minutes, we find ourselves changed.

Somehow made new.

Somehow seeing the world in a different way.

We're very happy to sing this for you.

This is the "Magnum Mysterium" of Morten Lauridsen.

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum O magnum mysterium Ut animalia viderent Dominum Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt O beata Virgo, portare Dominum Christum.

Alleluia.

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio Alleluia.

[Applause] We're going to take you now to the very top of the world, to Norway and to Sweden where they know a thing or two about snow and evergreen.

[Laughter] So we're going to sing three pieces for you now.

The first and the last are both dance carols.

What does that mean?

It means they're cheerful tunes that Scandinavian people tend to sing around these long, dark nights of the year to brighten things up a little bit.

If you're moved to dance in the aisles, watch out for the microphone.

[Laughter] And then the middle piece is gentle.

It's a prayer that snow descend and bring peace to a troubled world.

That's called Jul, stråhlande jul Christmas, Shining Christmas.

So we'll take you to Scandinavia now for three tunes.

The first one is a dance.

Nu är det Jul igen och nu är det Jul igen Och Julen vara ska’ till Påska.

Så är det Påsk igen, och så är det Påsk igen Och Påsken vara ska’ till Jula.

Christmas is here again, O Christmas is here again, We’ll dance and celebrate ‘til Easter.

Then at Eastertime, o then at Eastertime We’ll dance and celebrate ‘til Christmas.

Nu är det Jul igen och nu är det Jul igen Och Julen vara ska’ till Påska.

Det var inte sant, o det var inte sant, För där emellan kommer fastan!

Christmas is here again, o Christmas is here again, We’ll dance and celebrate ‘til Easter.

That’s not true my friend, o that’s not true Because in Lent, you know we’ll all be fasting!

[Laughter] Jul, jul, strålande jul, glans över vita skogar, Himmelens kronor med gnistrande ljus, Glimmande bågar i alla Guds hus, Psalm, som är sjungen från tid till tid, Eviga längtan till ljus och frid.

Jul, jul, strålande jul, glans över vita skogar.

Kom, kom, signade jul!

Sänk dina vita vingar över stridernas blod och larm, Över all suckan ur människobarm, Över de släkten som gå till ro, Över de ungas dagande bo.

Kom, kom, signade Jul!

Sänk dina vita vingar.

O jul med din glede og barnlige lyst, Vi ønsker deg alle velkommen.

Vi hilser deg alle med jublende røst, Titusende ganger velkommen!

Vi klapper i hendene, vi synger og vi ler, Så glad er vi, så glad er vi.

Vi svinger oss i kretsen og neier, og bukker.

do do do I Østerlands vise, i tre stjernemenn, Vi vet jo hvorhen i skal drage, Og vi ville jo også så gjerne derhen Og eder på reisen ledsage.

Vi klapper i hendene, vi synger og vi ler, Så glad er vi, så glad er vi.

Vi svinger oss i kretsen og neier, og bukker.

glad er vi Så rekker jeg deg nå med glede min hånd, Kom skynd deg å gi meg den andre.

Så knytter vi kjærlighets hellige band Og lover å elske hverandre.

Vi klapper i hendene, vi synger og vi ler, Så glad er vi, så glad er vi.

Vi svinger oss i kretsen og neier loo loo loo Vi svinger oss i kretsen og neier, og bukker.

[Applause] I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus the Savior did come for to die For poor ornery people like you and like I: I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow’s stall With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all, And high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall And the promise of ages it then did recall.

Lullaby If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, A star in the sky or a bird on the wing, Or all of God’s angels in heaven to sing, He surely could have had it, ‘cause he was the King.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus the Savior did come for to die For poor ornery people like you and like I: I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

Noel, noel, born is the King!

Noel The first noel, the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter’s night that was so deep Noel, noel, born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night Noel, noel, born is the King of Israel!

Noel, noel, Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made earth and heaven of naught And with His blood mankind has bought Noel, noel, born is the King, noel, noel!

Noel, noel, born is the King!

Noel, noel [Applause] Christmas future is far away, Christmas past is past.

Christmas present is here today, bringing joy that will last.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.

From now on our troubles will be out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the Yuletide gay.

From now on our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

a merry little Christmas.

Oh sweet little Jesus boy, born in a manger.

Sweet little holy child, we didn’t know who You was.

Oh sweet little Jesus boy, born in a manger.

Sweet little holy child, we didn’t know who You was.

We didn’t know You’d come to save us, Lord, To take our sins away: Our eyes was blind, and could not see.

We didn’t know who You was.

Long time ago they made You be born in a manger.

Sweet little holy child, we didn’t know who You was.

The world treat You mean, Lord, Treat me mean, too.

But that’s how it is down here.

Oh Lord, down here Oh Lord Because we didn’t know who You was.

Sweet little Jesus boy, He was born in a manger.

Sweet little holy child, holy child, yeah We didn’t know who You was.

didn’t know who You was.

[Applause] As we close our program this evening, we want to thank you for being a part of this 42nd year of great choral music here in northern New Mexico.

Thank you so much.

[Applause] It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this community and to bring the nation's finest singers to us every winter.

And don't forget, summer is coming.

[Laughter] And the Desert Chorale will be back for a beautiful summer festival in July and August of 2024.

We look forward to seeing you then.

We're going to close our program tonight and as we do, we reflect on the sometimes busy nature of these last days of the year, as we run from one thing to the other.

And so we're going to leave you with a place of peace tonight and calm, a chance to reflect, to be still and enjoy a little bit of a musical refuge in this very, very beautiful space.

From all of us at the Desert Chorale, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season.

The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green; The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green; The trees of nature fruitless be, Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know but ne'er can tell His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see, In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought; For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought; I missed of all but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil Here I will sit and rest awhile, I'm weary with my former toil Here I will sit and rest awhile, Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright; ‘Round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light, Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night, wond’rous star lend thy light With the angels let us sing “alleluia” to our King.

Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

Christ the Savior is born.

[Applause]