The world before Christ had a silent expectation that was unmatched by any other desire or hope in life. The coming of the Messiah was surrounded with anticipation and kept God's people hopeful. 
 
I wanted to capture that anxious expectation of the coming King and put it into song. The heartbeat is a representation of the eagerness of God's people for the coming Savior. The ticking of the clock is borderline frustrating because of the angst associated with waiting and wondering when the Savior will come. 
 
Though Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem, I can imagine a modern day Joseph, pacing the floor with the clock ticking behind him in the birthing room at the hospital, eager to meet his son. Listening to his son's heartbeat on the baby monitor in the hospital, and encouraging his wife Mary who is just as excited to meet their new baby boy. 
 
I arranged the key to the relative minor of D Major (B Minor) to really bring to life the feelings of silent hope up to the point of Jesus' birth. I enjoyed using the agenda of the desolation without the newborn King and the hopes that he would come soon. 
 
I hope you enjoy this austere arrangement of O Little Town of Bethlehem, featuring Mallory Bollinger, my wife on lead vocals.