A Merry Christmas to you and your families. We are listening to George Frederic Handel' Messiah. Every note, every phrase is perfect in bringing the message of Jesus the Messiah, the Savior, as the only acceptable price for our sins. The work is a musical sermon, a great witness to all generations that have followed every time it is performed.

Handel was asked to compose the Messiah by his friend Charles Jennens a devout Anglican who had written a libretto about the life of Christ and the work of redemption, with the text completely taken from the Bible.

At the time Handel was depressed, bankrupt, in physical pain, and opposed by individuals seeking to sabotage his career. Handel was a devout Lutheran, and often commented that he felt closer to God when composing works of praise. Read the history here.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/musiciansartistsandwriters/handel.html

He began the composition on August 22, 1741 and within 24 days he had composed 260 pages. When Handel finished composing what would become the Hallelujah Chorus, he said, "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself."

When faced with adversity fill your heart with gladness and hymns of praise. To God be the glory.
Brent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZTZRtRFkvk

I'm a little late for Christmas, but I hope everyone has a great new year! I'll be homebound on a plane.