Commissioned by Chorus Austin, Os nace un Cordero (Unto You a Lamb Is Born) sets excerpts from the Spanish poem “Pastores que veláis” by Santa Teresa de Jesús de Ávila for SATB mixed chorus, piano, and harp. As angels announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, Teresa foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion by referring to him as Cordero (Lamb). She also affirms Jesus as the fully human (hombre también junto) and fully divine son of the sovereign God (Hijo de Dios Soberano). The piece opens with angels approaching from a distance singing “pastores” (shepherds) followed by joyful choral couplets. Several dualities weave together representing the oneness of the human and divine: harp and piano; Venezuelan joropo rhythm derived from Spanish dance; sixteenth century text and twenty-first century music; and major and Phrygian modes. Spanning cultures, oceans, and centuries, this music exuberantly announces the celebrated birth of Christ.