Dawn of Hope

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About the Work

Dawn of Hope was written for Leawood United Methodist Church under the direction of Melanie Melcher Cuthbertson, with music by Gavin Lendt and text by Gavin Lendt and Tyler Kaufmann. The work is dedicated in memory of Dorothy Dunn, mother of Leawood UMC pianist, Lori Adami. Drawing primarily from the Book of Isaiah, this Advent cantata traces a journey from longing and prophecy to redemption and peace, reminding us that the human need for hope is timeless.

The cantata blends musical styles and instruments of the Renaissance with modern musical language and contemporary instrumentation. As the work unfolds, the sound gradually shifts toward a more modern feel, reflecting how the ancient story continues to speak into the present and how the longings, fears, and hopes of the human heart transcend every generation.

The Prelude unfolds as an instrumental opening woven with spoken narration. When the Sky Spoke opens with joyful energy before turning inward with the longing of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. From the Root reflects the prophecy of a new king from the lineage of David who will restore justice and peace.

The Lord Emmanuel celebrates the Savior’s name in a bright, Renaissance-style setting based on the 15th-century chant Jure plaudant omnia, adapted for Advent with additional new music. The Coventry Carol begins in quiet grief and erupts with Herod’s violent command, linking a familiar Christmas story to Advent’s tension between darkness and waiting.

Like a Sunrise ushers in the gentle emergence of renewed light and expectation. Arise is a direct call to the people of the earth to awaken spiritually, to rise into new life, and to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ.

The Peaceable Kingdom then closes the cantata with a serene vision of God’s promised peace and restoration.

 

Lyrics

When the Sky Spoke

We crown the kings, we call them wise.
Peace, peace they say, but bring us strife.
They take their claim at any cost.
Oh Lord, come help deliver us!

Idols of stone, our fields in flame,
carved our gods that fed our shame.
Ash in our eyes, for we cry thus:
Oh Lord, come help deliver us!

Hey! Hey! Hey!

We walk the roads our hands have paved,
that led us to an early grave.
No light below, the night is long.
Take what we are and make us strong!

O come, O Branch of Jesse’s tree,
unto Your own and set us free! 

From depths below Your people save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

Through the night the whispers speak,
a King will come for all to seek.
Under frost the roots still breathe,
within a womb new hope conceived.

From the stump a tender shoot,
O Branch of Jesse, from the root.
Oh watch the east, a thin bright line,
first light will break the dark resign.

In You we place our only trust.
Oh Lord, come help deliver us!

Hey! Hey! Hey!

 

From the Root

In the dust where hope is gone,
comes the light of heaven’s dawn.
Tender sprout in shadow deep,
hope awakes from earth’s cold sleep.

Breath of knowledge, soft as dew,
filling hearts with life anew.
Righteousness shall clothe the land,
gentle power guides the hand.

A shoot will grow from Jesse’s tree,
cradled warm in mystery.
From the root a child will rise,
heaven’s light before our eyes.

Valleys rise and mountains bow,
hope returns with prophets’ vow.
Chains will break and tears will dry,
God has heard His people’s cry.

Wisdom grows with every leaf;
grace may rise where once was grief.
Heaven’s light dispels our storm;
through the root the truth is born.

A shoot will grow from Jesse’s tree,
cradled warm in mystery.
From the root a child will rise,
heaven’s light before our eyes.

Breath of knowledge, soft as dew,
filling hearts with life anew.
Righteousness shall clothe the land,
gentle power guides the hand.

A shoot will grow from Jesse’s tree,
cradled warm in mystery.
From the root a branch will grow
truth the world will come to know.

O Come Emmanuel.

 

The Lord Emmanuel

Come, O Rising Sun,
light shall overcome.
Bless the promised King,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Let the heavens ring,
the Lord Emmanuel.

God with us we now perceive,
one who’ll reign as King of Kings.
Hearts prepare for wonder,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Darkness breaks asunder,
the Lord Emmanuel.

Those who dwell in gloom,
prepare for the bloom.
He will soon appear,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Cast away your fear,
the Lord Emmanuel.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Arise and shine, your hope has come
and the glory of the Lord!

Alleluia, alleluia.
Heaven’s glory lights the skies,
hope unveiled before our eyes.

Come, O Rising Sun,
light shall overcome.
Bless the promised King,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Let the heavens ring,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Lift your eyes, Emmanuel.

Love, Joy, Peace take hold,
God with us foretold.
Stars prepare His way,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Praise the coming day,
the Lord Emmanuel.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Nations draw to Your sight
and the glory of Your light.

Come, O Rising Sun,
Light shall overcome.
Bless the promised King,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Let the heavens ring,
the Lord Emmanuel.
Lift your eyes, Emmanuel.

 

Coventry Carol

Lully, thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay;
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.

His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

 

Like a Sunrise

Arise, arise O light divine.
The morning breaks the shepherd’s sign.
Awake, awake the dawn is here.

Like a sunrise gold and bright,
piercing through the veil of night.
From the town of David’s line,
He shall bring us love divine.

Lift us up from sinking sands,
strengthen now our weakened hands.
Guide our hearts where hope commands.
He brings us to His side.
His word will draw the gates so wide.

Like a sunrise gold and bright,
piercing through the veil of night.
Nations walk in holy flame,
kings shall tremble in His name.

Tears still fall like heavy rain.
Come, O Lord, and heal our pain.
Make our joy take root again.

He comes to bring us peace.
He comes to bring us hope.
He comes to bring us joy.
He comes to bring us love.

Love, like a sunrise warm and true,
Heaven’s light is breaking through.
Ev’ry heart will find a home.
Lost and lonely become known.

Like a sapling through a stone…

 

Arise

O Child of dawn with a heart so wide,
hope rides Your wings through the fallen night.
A voice in the wild to make a path clear,
a promise will whisper the Savior is near.

Children of dawn with your hearts so wide,
hope rides your wings through the fallen night.
A voice in His name to make your paths clear,
a promise still whispers the Savior is near.

Four candles flicker with watchful flame.
They wait in the glory of Your name.

Arise! Arise!
The world rejoice in Heaven’s voice.
Arise! Arise!
The stars align, the valleys climb.
The dawn has come.

O Child of dawn with a crown of peace,
Your kingdom calls with a voice that won’t cease.
You welcome the weak, restore what is torn.
The stone once forgotten has now been adorned.

Children of dawn with a heart so bright,
hope rides your wings through the fallen night.
A voice in the wild to make your path clear,
the promise still whispers the Savior is near.

Four candles burn with the Advent flame.
They wait in the glory of Your name.

Arise! Arise!
The world rejoice in Heaven’s voice.
Arise! Arise!
The stars align, the valleys climb.
The dawn has come.

Arise! Arise!
The world rejoice in Heaven’s voice.
Arise! Arise!
The stars align, the valleys climb.
The dawn has come!

 

The Peaceable Kingdom

The wolf will rest where the lamb lies calm.
The calf and the lion together belong.
No fear in their eyes, no harm will be done.

And a child shall lead them. Oh a child so small,
where the wild grows gentle and the meek stand tall.

The Peaceable Kingdom, it welcomes us all.

The bear will graze where the oxen eat.
The serpent’s den holds no deceit.
On holy ground all hearts will meet, Oh.

The earth shall be full, so full of the Lord.
His glory revealed, the truth restored.

And a child shall lead them, a child so small,
where the wild grows gentle and the meek stand tall.

The Peaceable Kingdom, it welcomes us all.

Stem of Jesse rise like a banner high.
Calling nations near, calling hearts to shine.
No more division, hope lights the sky.

And a child shall lead them, oh, a child so small.
Where the wild grows gentle and we heed
His call!

The Peaceable Kingdom…
The Peaceable Kingdom, it welcomes us all

A shoot has sprung from Jesse’s tree.
Rise, the light has come to see us free–
For us all!