George Frideric Handel was a German born, London based, baroque era composer of high distinction. He wrote dozens of operas, oratorios, and concertos. His contemporaries revered him, and he greatly influenced the classical composers to follow him. Reportedly, Mozart said of him, “Handel understands affect better than any of us. When he chooses, he strikes like a thunder bolt.” His most beloved composition is the Messiah, known for the inspiring and majestic Hallelujah Chorus. Its opening is one of the most recognized pieces of music in the world more than 250 years on. Music historians place it in the first rank of Western culture’s most spectacular achievements, and I encourage you to put seeing a top notch performance of the Messiah on your bucket list.
Remarkably, Handel composed Messiah during a period deep depression. Though already a respected and well-established composer, some business failures had brought him to the brink of bankruptcy, and his health was failing. One night of particular despondency, in 1741, found him wandering the lonely streets of London until almost dawn when he finally returned wearily back home. He came upon an envelope from Charles Jennens, his lyricist, containing pages and pages of Scriptural references and text. He leafed through the many pages before falling into bed exhausted. But rest would not comfort him, for the words he had just read captivated his every thought:
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God … The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light … For unto us a Child is born … Glory to God in the highest … Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
With restless and relentless inspiration he went to his piano and composed. For the next three and a half weeks he was consumed with creative energy to the neglect of rest and food. His assistant would call to him but to no avail, until the assistant finally imposed himself only to find the great composer surrounded by sheets and sheets of music haphazardly strewn about. His appearance mirrored the unkept room: he was a disheveled, bedraggled mess. Tears streamed down his face as he declared, “I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” The Messiah was finished.
Of Handel, Beethoven said, “Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means.” Reading that quote, I cannot help but think of the Advents of Christ; the ‘great effect’ achieved by Christ despite the humblest of beginnings. Revelation 19, this Sunday’s preaching text, greatly inspired Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus within his Messiah. In chapter 19 we find ourselves in the throne room of heaven and the great multitude cries out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” We see the One, Faithful and True, returning in victory, his eyes a “flame of fire” and leading the armies of heaven. What a contrast. In his first coming a manger, in his second a throne. First, seen as an infant, now recognized as the infinite. In his person he was a man despised, rejected, and full of sorrows, now he is the sovereign warrior king. He is the Christ, the one before whom the angels veil their faces and cry “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
This advent season I trust that our focus on future things as we work through Revelation has informed your present. John wrote in his gospel regarding the ‘Word made flesh’ that many “did not receive him”. In the babe they failed to see their sovereign king; in the lamb they failed to see the lion; in the suffering servant they failed to see the Lord of lords; in the meek man of sorrows they failed to see their salvation.
I hope and pray that through this advent season you would recognize more clearly than ever before the “hope of the whole earth”; and rest in the very peace of Christ.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
As we gather for Sunday worship, we want you to meet with God and be transformed by the Word. Prepare your heart by reading the passage and listening to the songs for Sunday.