Christmas Joy TTBB

Creating a Choral Arrangement with a Theme of Christmas Joy
In 2023 I was contemplating what Christmas music to use for the Men’s Ensemble at First Baptist Church in Ringgold, GA. The men mostly sing a Cappella arrangements.
My mind was drawn to the concept of joy, presented musically with motion, energy, and excitement. My spirit wanted a text that could proclaim the gospel message of Christmas and be joyful in style.
At the same time, my heart was drawn to the concept of leaving listeners in a spirit of worship and a mood of quiet and reverence at the end of the song.
The contrasting concepts seemed to present a dichotomy. Choose one concept or the other.
I settled on a theme of joy, an upbeat tempo, and the familiar melody and text of the 18th century English carol “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
The text clearly states the gospel message: “Remember Christ the Savior was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. This holy tide of Christmas doth bring redeeming grace.”
The carol’s refrain repeats the joyful text, “O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now, how can I arrange this song in an original way?
I came up with some syncopated rhythms combined with little echo-like repeats of phrase endings. The syncopated rhythms give the melody a playful character. The composed echo-like repeats draw out the textual meaning while providing a familiar carol with fresh musical interest.
I decided to end the song by repeating the word “Joy” three times. I ended the melody on a high note instead of the usual low note.
This joyful carol is actually written in a minor key - not unusual for Christmas songs in the 1700s. I ended the minor harmonies with a “joyful sounding” major chord. The technique of concluding a song written in a minor key by using a major chord at the end was a common practice in the 18th century.
When I finished the arrangement, I thought again about the idea of leaving listeners in a spirit of worship, a mood of quiet, reverence, and contemplation at the end of the song.
I looked through some German chorales. I found a beautiful melody by Johann Ebeling with a beautiful text by Paul Gerhardt: “All My Heart this Night Rejoices.”
“All my heart this night rejoices, as I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices.
‘Christ is born,’ their choirs are singing, till the air, everywhere, now with joy is ringing!"
I harmonized the chorale in a major key for men’s voices, emulating the Baroque style of Bach chorales with moving notes and harmonic suspensions. I added a simple “Amen.” I put the harmonized chorale in a different (but related) key than “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
The slow, legato harmonies of “All My Heart this Night Rejoices” contrast in style and mood with the fast-moving, syncopated rhythms of the English carol, but they fit together like hand and glove!
It was a happy marriage of two songs about Christmas Joy. The two songs contrast in style and mood, but they complement each other in text and music.
May God be praised!
Allen Goodwin
Written and arranged by Allen Goodwin especially for the Men's Ensemble of First Baptist Church in Ringgold, GA. Pdf scores are available without cost upon request from the composer-arranger ([e-mail]).