Handel's Messiah

He was despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows acquainted with grief.

A couple of weekends ago, I went to a performance of Handel's Messiah at The National Cathedral. Wow. Music like that was written to be performed in a space like that. I had heard the Christmas portions of Messiah performed before, but it was an even more worshipful experience to hear all three parts together. The amount of theology that is packed into the lyrics is amazing (Scripture passages selected by one of Handel's collaborators, Charles Jennens). I was more aware this time of the ways Handel used the music to emphasize certain phrases in the lyrics, typically through repetition. The opening lines of this post are one such example, sung beautifully over and over - two lines of music that are certainly among the most moving I've ever heard.

Learning more about the circumstances surrounding Handel when he wrote Messiah was also fascinating - not only did he write it in 24 days, but he also was criticized by many for using Christ as his subject matter. At that time, "theatrical" and "profane" were viewed as synonymous in some circles. If you'd like to read more of the story, go here.

The concluding portion of the piece speaks to Christ's coming return when "all shall be made alive" in Him, and it is these words that make up the closing:

Worthy is the lamb that was slain,

and hath redeemed us to God by his blood,

to receive power and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Blessing and honor, glory and power,

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Amen. Let it be so this Advent season!