An SATB a cappella setting of a poem by Marnanel Thurman. The poem references three incidents in the life of Christ Ñ his baptism,
temptation and crucifixion Ñ told from the perspective of Jesus.
The pigeons are an imaginative development of the traditional Christian
symbolism of a dove signifying the Holy Spirit as advocate and comforter.
In substituting pigeons Ð animals that are usually scorned as unclean and
unwelcome Ð for doves, Thurman movingly articulates an affirming and welcoming
vision of Christ, who greets the pigeons as signs of hope.