As The Star Appears

as-the-star-appearsFor Christmas 2012, Richard McLester wrote a new carol called As The Star Appears. As a visual sculpture to accompany the first performance of the carol, he also designed a huge hanging star.

This was built over an 8 week period by Richard and a dedicated team of volunteers. Once built, the sculpture hung in the centre of the Nave at St Peter’s Parkstone Church for the whole of the Christmas and Epiphany period.

Both the carol and the sculpture were dedicated to the congregation and ministry team of St Peter’s, Parkstone, during their period of interregnum to reflect on the image of the Nativity Star as a Symbol of Hope.

Photo Gallery

To see more photos of As The Star Appears, click on the thumbnails from the gallery below…

To watch Richard McLester explain how they built the giant star sculpture in St Peter’s, Parkstone, click the video below. The video features clips from the carol As The Star Appears, sung by Alexandra Wehlau.

Scored for soprano duet, SATB choir and piano, the words of As The Star Appears are;

As the star above appears
Lighting darkness, healing fears,
Bringing hope to us from above,
As a symbol of love.
The world in awe lies watching, waiting,
Hoping, listening, silently praying,
Christ comes down to earth tonight
As a symbol of light.

Kings of old, the pilgrims three
Follow the star, the Babe to see,
Christ is born tonight on earth,
The star proclaims His birth.
Shepherds walk to see His face
As they search out God’s perfect grace.
The star lights brightly the way to go
Guiding us all below.

As the star above appears
Lighting darkness, healing fears,
Bringing hope to us from above,
As a symbol of love.
The world in awe lies watching, waiting,
Hoping, listening, silently praying,
Christ comes down to earth tonight
As a symbol of light.

words & music written by Richard McLester
© conical sphere music 2012.
all rights reserved.