Welcome to Anthem 45 in my attempt to write a new choir anthem every week for a year. I’m Kevin Mulryne and I hope you will enjoy listening to my progress throughout 2024. Please do visit the website Anthem52.com, follow along on x.com - @realanthem52 or Instagram - @realanthem52 and send me a message to [email protected].

It was a slightly odd week for composition. I found it difficult to get going but when I did it seemed to go fairly well.

Guess where I found the words? Yes, you're correct - Isaac Watts. This time it's a very positive set of lyrics so I decided on a loud anthem, with emphatic organ accompaniment.

Here are the words I chose:

Words for Anthem 45:

Behold, the grace ap­pears, The pro­mise is ful­filled; Mary, the won­drous vir­gin, bears, And Je­sus is the Child.

The Lord, the high­est God, Calls Him His on­ly Son; He bids Him rule the lands abroad, And gives Him Da­vid’s throne.

Glory to God on high! And heav’n­ly peace on earth; At our Re­deem­er’s birth!