It's a dilemma pastors and pastoral musicians face every December: How can we draw the faithful into the spiritual riches of Advent at a time when the world around us is caught up in a frenzied preparation for Christmas gift-giving? Jerry Chiusano's latest collection is a well-crafted and much-needed answer to this challenge -- and an important addition to the repertoire for Advent.

Maranatha -- Aramaic for "Our Lord, come!" -- offers music and texts that evoke the fullness of the Advent spirit, bringing together the joyful anticipation of Christ's birth in Bethlehem and the joyful hope with which we await his return in glory.

The collection features a variety of music for the liturgy, including SATB a cappella introits, choral anthems, ballads, gospel-rock songs and psalm settings. Jerry has taken some of the most beautiful, familiar Advent hymn texts and set them to upbeat, contemporary music, giving this ancient poetry new life. Other texts have been drawn from the Scripture readings for Sundays in Advent.

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