Skip to main content

For unto Us a Child Is Born, From Messiah

Filer image
The Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square performing "For Unto Us."
The Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square performing "For unto Us a Child Is Born."

George Frideric Handel wrote his beloved oratorio Messiah in a three-week burst of intense activity during the fall of 1741. While legend declares that this accelerated fervor resulted from divine inspiration, it was certainly helped by the fact that in some parts of Messiah, Handel recycled his own music. The well-known chorus, “For unto Us a Child Is Born,” for example, is a reworking of an Italian duet, “Nò, di voi non vo’ fidarmi,” that Handel had composed just a few months earlier. But while the duet remains relatively unknown, its choral cousin is now regarded as one of the most glorious expressions of sacred joy in the Christmas repertory, and an enduring Christmas tradition.

Music: George Frideric Handel
Text: Isaiah 9:6

Listen to the Full Song

Lyrics

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given:
And the government shall be upon His shoulder;
And His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Music from the 2019 Concert
  • Kristin Chenoweth singing Mary, Did You Know? with The Tabernacle Choir behind her.
  • Kristin Chenoweth singing Come On, Ring Those Bells with The Tabernacle Choir behind her.
  • A female performer for the Christmas concert holds up a laughing baby while The Tabernacle Choir sings behind them.
  • In front of a blue background, Kristin Chenoweth sings Angels among Us into a microphone wearing a dark dress with floral accents.
  • The Tabernacle Choir sings Fill the World with Love while musicians in black suits accompany them on bells.
  • Sitting aside three children, Kristin Chenoweth sings What Child Is This? into a microphone.
Browse all songs >