Simply reading the words "And the glory of the Lord" now has those magnificent runs cascading through my head. Messiah Sings are such a joyous experience. Thanks for heightening them with this added background.
Thank you so much for your timely, edifying, & encouraging post -- I LOVE HANDEL's MESSIAH ! (Of course, I love the Messiah, Himself -- Who FIRST LOVED ME!, i.e. 'loved ALL of us first!
By coincidence (ha, ha) .. the YT version you posted is my favorite, too. In my mind's eye, I imagine the Holy Spirit, Himself setting on the piano bench with Handel as he composed this. I KNOW that the Spirit is here, with me -- every time I listen!
" And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Shannon, this is wonderful! I love this post. Especially all the fun historical details — leave the hoops and swords at home! Ha!
I grew up singing Messiah in my public high school choir - directed by a secular teacher. Every year, at the big Christmas concert, we would sing one piece from Messiah - one year I got to perform the alto solo in O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, a dream now! - and always the Hallelujah Chorus. During the Hallelujah, all alumni were welcome to join the choir.
All of this, in such a secular place, and I still get goosebumps to think of how many have had the word of God placed upon their lips and hearts by this masterpiece.
What beautiful memories! I am also amazed when I look back at my time singing in choirs in high school; we sang *so many* overtly religiously-themed songs and I didn’t realize how strange that was in such a secular setting. But much of the great choral music *is* Christian, so I’m glad we sang it! Who knows what seeds were planted through that music.
I was just reading from your post to my husband; he had put on Messiah for our evening listening. Such lovely work you’ve done and shared with us!
And, yes, it is amazing to see the utter gift sacred music has given to the whole world, regardless of faith in Christ. Beauty preserves us from self-destruction. It’s so necessary, and I thank God for Handel and all the wonderful artists before and after, who have so blessed our world. God bless, Shannon!
A beautiful introduction to a timeless masterpiece! I’m playing concertmaster for Messiah this weekend and can’t wait! It’s an incredible worship experience that never gets old.
Love this - I sang along with a messiah choir this year for the first time. Life changing
Pretty amazing, right, Phil? So glad you got to do that! Merry Christmas!
Simply reading the words "And the glory of the Lord" now has those magnificent runs cascading through my head. Messiah Sings are such a joyous experience. Thanks for heightening them with this added background.
Joyous & Magnificent: the perfect descriptors!
Thank you so much for your timely, edifying, & encouraging post -- I LOVE HANDEL's MESSIAH ! (Of course, I love the Messiah, Himself -- Who FIRST LOVED ME!, i.e. 'loved ALL of us first!
By coincidence (ha, ha) .. the YT version you posted is my favorite, too. In my mind's eye, I imagine the Holy Spirit, Himself setting on the piano bench with Handel as he composed this. I KNOW that the Spirit is here, with me -- every time I listen!
" And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:14
What a lovely and instructional breakdown of this incredible piece of music. Thank you, Shannon, and Christmas blessings to you and yours.
Shannon, this is wonderful! I love this post. Especially all the fun historical details — leave the hoops and swords at home! Ha!
I grew up singing Messiah in my public high school choir - directed by a secular teacher. Every year, at the big Christmas concert, we would sing one piece from Messiah - one year I got to perform the alto solo in O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, a dream now! - and always the Hallelujah Chorus. During the Hallelujah, all alumni were welcome to join the choir.
All of this, in such a secular place, and I still get goosebumps to think of how many have had the word of God placed upon their lips and hearts by this masterpiece.
Oh that we might believe and love our Messiah!
Thank you again for sharing this.
What beautiful memories! I am also amazed when I look back at my time singing in choirs in high school; we sang *so many* overtly religiously-themed songs and I didn’t realize how strange that was in such a secular setting. But much of the great choral music *is* Christian, so I’m glad we sang it! Who knows what seeds were planted through that music.
Merry Christmas to you!!
I was just reading from your post to my husband; he had put on Messiah for our evening listening. Such lovely work you’ve done and shared with us!
And, yes, it is amazing to see the utter gift sacred music has given to the whole world, regardless of faith in Christ. Beauty preserves us from self-destruction. It’s so necessary, and I thank God for Handel and all the wonderful artists before and after, who have so blessed our world. God bless, Shannon!
A beautiful introduction to a timeless masterpiece! I’m playing concertmaster for Messiah this weekend and can’t wait! It’s an incredible worship experience that never gets old.
How wonderful to be concertmaster for Messiah! What a gift. It really is timeless--I love that it is still being performed nearly 300 years later!