4th Sunday of Advent

Today was the Christmas Choral presentation. The choir sang three anthems: "A Maiden Most Gentle", "Candlelight Carol", and "Hope For Resolution (Thula Sizwe)".

Luke chapter 2 verse 14 says: “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”

Hope for Resolution was written to commemorate the end of Apartheid and the beginning of reconciliation in South Africa. It is dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela, who struggled long and hard against inequality and strove for meaningful dialogue between the races.

Hope for Resolution begins with a splendid arrangement of the centuries-old hymn “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” and weaves in the South African song “Thula Sizwe” which means “Nation do not Cry”. The juxtaposition of a European chant melody and an anti-apartheid song for South Africa points us to our innate potential for peaceful coexistence.

The English translation of the Zulu words in Thula Sizwe is:

Nation, do not cry.

Jehovah will protect us.

We will attain freedom.

Jehovah will protect us.