Christmas 2021

Merry Christmas 2021 & Happy New Year 2022

Thinking about what Christmas means this year my mind wondered to one of the greatest anointed writers of all time. George Frederick Handel. Anyone who can sit down and in 24 days write a 259-page score of music for the Messiah had to experience a great anointing. Actually, they say that he spent 10 grueling hours a day in order to accomplish the task. When reminiscing on the meaning of Handel’s Messiah, I printed off the lyrics and read through them. I thought to myself, “these words are empowering and prophetic.” They are so fitting for the Christmas season. Now I don’t intend to read all the lyrics in their entirety, but I would like to high light some of the words and the message that is contained in Handel’s work.

The Messiah premiered in 1742 and Handel’s response to those who inquired as to how he was able to complete his manuscript in such a short period, he replied, “To God alone the glory.” I have recently heard Mario Murillo say the same thing as to the results that he is seeing in his revival meetings.

The Messiah starts out with Isaiah 40:1-3 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: To prepare the way of the Lord… then Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Actually, the first part of the Messiah is called the Promise, which prophecy’s that a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emanuel, God with us. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Then there is the scene of the shepherds’ abiding in the field with an angel of the Lord coming upon them and they became afraid but the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

The second part is called the Passion that prophecies, Behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.  That He will be despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Yet, the exhortation from Psalm 24: 7-10 to lift up your heads, O ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in.  This part concludes with the Hallelujah Chorus taken from Revelation 19:6, 11:15 and 19:16.  If you have ever attended the Messiah the audience stands up during this chorus and often sings along as well. This tradition was started when it premiered in 1742 at the London Premier when King George the 11 was so moved by the chorus he stood to his feet and those in attendance followed suit.

The third and final part is the theme Triumph over death with the scripture from Job 19:5-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:20 declares, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now, is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. Concluding in the chorus from Revelation 5:12-13 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.

I believe the world around still needs to hear this message, possibly with some up-to-date language. Since the pandemic it seems that people’s hearts around the world have been filled with fear and a hopelessness. This Christmas I want to focus on the message written in the Messiah so many years ago.