A Christmas Devotional Not to Live Without

Most people, I would say, have heard of Handel's Messiah, or at least the "Hallelujah Chorus."  However, I was well into adulthood before I had ever heard of this famous oratorio.  I was in a choir rehearsal at my church and one of the sopranos made some comment about everyone knows the "Hallelujah Chorus."  I was so obliging to have her meet one of those heathens who had never heard of it.  I thought the poor woman's eyeballs were going to fall out, she had never encountered such impoverished musical ignorance before!  I was equally shocked at my appalling ignorance and sought to speedily remedy that. 

I obtained a copy of the complete Messiah and listened to it in its entirety.  It didn't grab me.  My first thought was, "I am so woefully ignorant, I just don't get it.  This is a really special piece of music, so I must try harder."  On the second go around, it still didn't take hold.  Finally, determined to find what I was missing, I got a copy of the libretto (the words) and listened in small sections with ATTENTIVENESS.  Only then did I began to understand, to get the overview, to become more acquainted with it.  Now, I not only have favorite sections, but I LOVE the entire oratorio.

Since then, I have learned some riveting details.  Handel wrote the music in a mere 17 days.  It has been performed somewhere in the world every year since it was first performed April 13, 1742.  He wrote it to benefit  London orphans.  All of the words are from the King James Bible and tell a story of Christ,'s birth, death, and resurrection.

A truly wonderful devotional that comes with a CD of some selections is The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader by Donna Payne and Fran Lenzo I cannot recommend this highly enough as a great part of your family's musical education and one that will enhance their appreciation of the Messiah.

One of my favorites is:  I Know that My Redeemer Liveth

I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

Chorus:
I know, I know that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.
 I know His promise never faileth,
The word He speaks, it cannot die;
Tho’ cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.
1 I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.
Chorus:
I know, I know that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.
 I know His promise never faileth,
The word He speaks, it cannot die;
Tho’ cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.

[Chorus]
I know my mansion He prepareth,
That where He is there I may be;
Oh, wondrous thought, for me He careth,
And He at last will come for me.

[Chorus]