UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES: 2001/12
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The Newsletter of Contend for the Faith, Inc
1 Chronicles 12:32
DECEMBER 2001
Projecting Great Things in the Coming Year
There are many things to love about the Christmas season. Among them are the decorations, the smells of holiday foods, and gathering together with family and friends to share the joys of the season. For most people the world seems to be a little bit better at this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. I absolutely love to hear and to sing the great hymns and carols that commemorate the incarnation. And I always look forward the most to hearing often various parts of the greatest oratorio ever written: Handel’s Messiah.
Messiah was written by George Frederick Handel in 1741. His friend Charles Jennens had given him the libretto (the text of the oratorio) and asked him to write the music. Handel, a Lutheran who truly loved to set the Scriptures to music, embraced this task with great joy. He was so absorbed in his work that he hardly ate or drank. Working feverishly, Handel completed his composition in only 24 days. At one point his servant, who feared that Handel was literally killing himself during this process, came into his room to encourage him to eat and he found Handel in tears. Having just completed the Hallelujah Chorus, Handel said, weeping, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.”
Although it was not written specifically for Christmas, Messiah is a holiday tradition. It tells the story of the prophecies of the coming of Messiah, His birth, His life, His suffering, His death, His resurrection, and His glorification as King of kings. It is the story of God’s provision for the redemption of man through the sacrifice of His Son. The entire oratorio is made up of nothing but Scripture.
Not only is the music majestic, but also the verses used are profound. Charles Jennens selected texts to specifically demonstrate the deity of Christ to the liberal churchmen of his day who were deists, denying that Jesus was God the Son incarnate. Messiah is actually an apologetic, defending this essential doctrine of the Christian faith.
Handel’s great composition was first performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742. With 700 people in attendance, a large amount of money was raised by the performance which Handel, the two choirs, and the soloists donated to charity. I find it significant that by his act of charity Handel was able to see to it that 142 people were freed from debtors prison. How marvelously appropriate, since his musical masterpiece tells of how God came to set people free from our debt caused by sin.
Messiah was received with raves by the people of Ireland. The Dublin Journal wrote, “The best Judges allowed it to be the most finished piece of Musick. Words are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crouded Audience. The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestick and moving Words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.”
The first performance in Handel’s home of London was on March 23, 1743. King George II was in attendance. According to tradition, when the king heard the Hallelujah Chorus, he was so moved by the words (“For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. King of kings, and Lord of Lords. And He shall reign forever and ever.”) that he rose to his feet. The others in attendance followed suit, and that is why to this day it is expected (and I think appropriate) that audiences rise during this sublime chorus.
I see the life of George Frederick Handel as an inspiration. Although he had faced much adversity and sickness in his life, by immersing himself in Scripture and desiring to glorify God he was used by the Lord to produce perhaps the greatest piece of music ever written. Millions have heard the story of Messiah through listening to Messiah.
Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Because of his excellent work, Handel stood before many kings and aristocrats. But I believe that because he glorified God with this masterpiece of faith, Handel received a greater honor – a king stood before him.
As we enjoy all the trappings of this Christmas season, let us be sure to worship the Messiah as we listen to Messiah. Praise God for this time of year when the world pauses and listens to songs of incarnation and redemption.
Merry Christmas!
John 1:14,
Dave
