Sunday Cantata

"My dear Jesus is lost". Mary and Joseph despaired when the boy Jesus was lost to them in Jerusalem (Luke 2), and rejoiced at finding Him. Likewise, the soul to whom Jesus is lost because of sin and unbelief must despair, but rejoices when it learns again to trust Jesus’ word of promise.

"All those from Sheba shall come". As the wise men from the East came to worship Jesus with their gifts (Matthew 2), Christians, too, are called to offer themselves to Jesus in the confidence that He will graciously receive us.

"The newborn little child". This is a chorale cantata based on a 16th-century Christmas hymn, rejoicing that Jesus’ coming into the world has taken away the condemnation of our sins and opened the way to paradise.

"Prepare the ways, prepare the paths!" A call to repentance and faith in anticipation of the coming of Christ to judge the world.

A chorale cantata paraphrasing and meditating on the ancient Advent hymn, "Saviour of the Nations Come".

"Soar joyfully aloft". Based on Psalm 24, this cantata in the promised coming of Christ, who is the King of Glory.

A prayer anticipating the coming of the Saviour of the world. Based on the ancient Advent hymn, "Saviour of the Nations, Come".

"Wake, awake, for night is flying". Perhaps the greatest of all the cantatas, based on one of the greatest Lutheran hymns, by Philipp Nicolai. Based on the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25), its subject matter is the love between, and the approaching wedding feast of, Christ and the Church.

"Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!" Since Jesus will soon return to judge the living and the dead, and our lives can end at any moment, Christians ought to be watchful and diligent in prayer - and joyfully confident in the joy Jesus has prepared for them.

"You prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ". The hymn by Jakob Ebert on which this chorale cantata is based was written as a prayer for peace in time of war. It is an act of repentance over our sins and an entreaty to Jesus, the prince of peace, to bring peace into our present suffering.

"Ah, how fleeting, ah, how insubstantial". A chorale cantata based on a hymn by Michael Franck, which laments the brevity of human life – and therefore placing one’s trust in God and His eternal faithfulness.

"A mighty fortress is our God". A triumphant setting and expansion of Luther’s famous battle hymn of the Reformation.

"I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief". Drawing on the account of Jesus’ healing of the official’s son in John 4, offering comfort to the weak in faith that whoever trusts in Jesus will never be disappointed.

"Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness". A chorale cantata, setting and expanding one of the great Lutheran communion hymns, by Johann Franck.

"I would gladly bear the cross-staff". A work for bass solo, this cantata is a declaration of confidence in God’s love through Jesus Christ. Even suffering and death, when received from God’s hand, can be received with joy.

"God alone shall possess my heart". A work for alto solo, this cantata is a response to the double-commandment of love, to love God above all things and your neighbour as yourself.

"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled". A call to humility in the face of God’s glory and human sinfulness, with a prayer to Jesus to grant such humility.

"Christ, who is my life". A reflection on Jesus’ raising of the son of the widow of Nain, this cantata is built around four Lutheran funeral hymns. It expresses the Christian hope that death holds no fear for those whose Saviour Jesus is.

"Shout for joy to God in every land". An exuberant solo cantata for soprano, calling God’s people to praise Him for His faithfulness. This cantata closes with an extraordinary ’Alleluia’ for soprano and solo trumpet.

"Jesus, by whom my soul". A chorale cantata based on a hymn by Johann Rist, in which the Christian takes comfort in the sufferings of Jesus for our salvation.

"On you alone, Lord Jesus Christ". A chorale cantata based on a hymn by Konrad Huber, a reminder that our loving God is our only lasting hope.

"Spirit and soul are thrown into confusion". A solo cantata for the alto, based on Jesus’ healing of the deaf and mute man (Mark 7), marvelling at God’s miraculous care for His children. [Translation of the libretto]

"My heart swims in blood". This early solo cantata for soprano solo is a reflection on Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18), pleading for the forgiveness of sins.

"Take from us, Lord, you faithful God". A chorale cantata based on a penitential hymn by Martin Möller, begging for God’s merciful forgiveness of our sins and release from their just punishment.

"What is the world to me". A chorale cantata based on a well-known Lutheran hymn. The message of the hymn is that the vanishing treasures of the world are nothing compared to the true, eternal treasure, Jesus.