Taking its name from Pope John Paul II’s letter (Orientale Lumen), Light from the East is a diverse recording. As a complement to the Schola’s previous recording of There is Great Rejoicing: Carols of Central and Eastern Europe, these carols represent Polish, Croatian, Ukrainian/Carpatho-Rusyn, Slovak, Hungarian, Latvian, Russian, Czech, Moravian, Slovenian, and Romanian traditions. The vivid faith and lovely melodies recorded on Light from the East offer even more reason to raise our voices in praise of the God who sent his only Son to the world.
Selections are
To the Whole World
Organ Improvisation on "To the Whole World"
Christians Gather Round
Organ Improvisation on "Christians Gather Round”
Christmas Night
Christmas Day
O’er the Earth 
Shepherding Their Sheep
Come, Shepherds, to the Stable
Shepherds of Bethlehem
There’s a Savior Born to Us
The Christmas Rose
Born to Us is Christ the God-Man
Organ Improvisation on "Born to Us Is Christ the God-Man”
Tenderly Mary Sings
Shepherds, Loyal Shepherds
Rise Up, Beth’lem Shepherds, Rise!
Strings Celestial
Fantasy on Rajske Strune
Shepherds, Do Not Be Frightened
Organ Improvisation on "Shepherds, Do Not Be Frightened”
At the Gates of Heaven Above J. Michael Thompson is the director of music ministry at St. Peter's Church, where he is the founder and director of the Schola Cantorum. He has been a pastoral musician and liturgist for twenty years, as well as a composer, author, and a noted promoter of the Liturgy of the Hours and Gregorian chant in contemporary parish situations.
