Day 8-9: Light in the Darkness - Scene 3 (8-11)

HEART HEARING
(Meditate on this for the next two days.)

Movements 8-9 

(Love the "orchestra" in this)

Movements 10-11

Scene 3 - "The prophecy of the Virgin Birth" (Movements 8-12)

8. Secco recitative (Alto)

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, GOD WITH US. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

Note: Secco recitative is a new musical term. It is a "dry recitative" usually with only harpsichord and cello accompaniment. It recites the words directly and does not repeat them.

9. Aria (Alto) & Chorus

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! O thou that tellest good tiding to Zion, Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 60:1)

10. Accompanied recitative (Bass)

For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:2, 3; Matthew 4:16)

11. Aria (Bass)

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

MIND MEDITATION

Isaiah 7:14

Historically, Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 7 occurred in 734 B.C. when Judah was going to be attacked by an alliance of the northern kingdom of Israel and Aram (northeast of Israel). Rezin was Aram's last king and Pekah was Israel's second to last king. King Ahaz of Judah and his people were frightened, but Isaiah prophesied that there would be a breakup of Israel's alliance with Aram, and because of this alliance, Israel would be destroyed, but Judah, though punished, would not be destroyed. 

Ahaz piously said he did not want a sign that would confirm God's word because that would be "testing" God (Deuteronomy 6:16), but he did not want one because he did not really believe or want to believe Isaiah. He would rather trust in the King of Assyria than the King of all kings! He was testing God by not asking, and the Lord gave Ahaz one anyway.

This sign would be a boy named Immanuel (which means "God with us"). This boy would be:

• Born of a virgin (the Hebrew word is ‘almâh, an unmarried woman of marriageable age)  
• Raised in a time of national turmoil 
• A youth when the two-king alliance would be broken

In the historical context of that moment, within three years (the time for a virgin woman from the house of Ahaz to go through nine months of pregnancy and two or three years for the young boy to know the difference between right and wrong), Tiglath-Pileser II of Assyria destroyed Damascus (732 B.C.), putting Rezin to death (2 Kings 16:7-10). The two-king alliance was broken. King Pekah of Israel was murdered by Hoshea in 732 B.C. Hoshea would be the last king of Israel. He was carried off to captivity by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Kingdom of Israel ceased to exist after that (2 Kings 17). 

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Though this prophecy had fulfillment in the historical context of that moment, it had future fulfillment as quoted in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:31-35 with the birth of Jesus by a virgin, Mary! This is the first of many prophecies in Isaiah about Jesus, the Messiah. 

Isaiah 40:9

We already learned about the background of Isaiah 40 during Scene 1 (Movements 2-4) a few days ago. The glory of the Lord has been revealed. 

Now, "Zion" and "Jerusalem" were to shout it from the mountaintops, "God has come to be with us. Take a look at Him!" 

Now the nation itself comes out of the valley and climbs the mountaintop to declare God’s victory over the enemy. To “bring good tidings” means “to preach the Good News.” The good news in that day was the defeat of Babylon and the release of the captive Jews (52:7–9). The Good News today is the defeat of sin and Satan by Jesus Christ and the salvation of all who will trust in Him (61:1–3; Luke 4:18–19). (Be Comforted: “Be” Commentary Series, p. 109)

Notice the great joy in this part of the music. It is dance-like with upward leaps and the first swinging 6/8 time of the oratorio. (Maybe you should dance?)

Isaiah 60:1-3

A new day was dawning for Jerusalem. They could arise from sitting in the dust of captivity (Isaiah 3:26) and their light could shine in the darkness (Isaiah 58:10). We can rise from the dust of our captivity to sin and also shine! 

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

The glory of the Lord in the person of Christ has risen like the sun, and His purpose is to reveal His glory to the whole world held in darkness without the light of Christ (Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78). 

Of course, this is also talking about a future day when Christ will return to live among us at His second coming, and people will flock to the light; but people in spiritual darkness can see the light of Christ in us right now!

Notice how ominous the music sounds when talking about darkness covering the earth until the bass says, "but the Lord shall arise upon thee" and it goes up beautifully and becomes comforting as he sings of His glory. So beautiful. Do not miss this in the music!

Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16

Isaiah has just prophesied that Assyrians will carry Israel into captivity (2 Kings 15:29), and he is warning Judah not to put their trust in Assyria but in the Lord. The nation had rejected Isaiah's message and turned to demons instead of God (Isaiah 8:19; Deuteronomy 18:10-12) which led them into greater darkness and decline. Yet, into this utter darkness (8:22), a light will dawn (9:2).

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

I love Isaiah 9 because it is the dawn after the darkness! It is the promise of the Messiah  (Matthew 4:13-16) who will come from "Galilee of the Gentiles" (9:1).  Jesus is the light in a dark world (Luke 1:78-79; John 1:9; 8:12)! There will be more on Isaiah 9 in the next movement!

SOUL SEARCHING

Shout and Shine

Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us."  This is an amazing thing to ponder in the very depths of your being. In the oratorio, it is a very, very short 23-second recited piece packed with power. Maybe if we really grasped that God was with us we would be more inclined to realize what absolutely GOOD NEWS we have to share, and we would go right on that mountaintop and SHOUT!

Or maybe if we fully grasped the utter darkness of people's lives, we would be more inclined to SHINE His light into all the dark places?

Jesus said:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house.  

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. (Luke 11:33)

Yet we hesitate.  God knew what the heart of the problem with SHOUTING and SHINING would be: FEAR.  He says through Isaiah "Be not afraid" (Isaiah 40:9).  Did you know this phrase (and ones similar to it) is commanded most often in the Bible?  

What was true for Judah two and a half thousand years ago is still true for us. We know that we have been given good news and commanded to share it -- indeed, to shout it from the rooftops. But the voice of fear and hesitation intrudes. Would that really be wise? Should we draw such public attention to ourselves? Isn't the work of God secret, personal, private to each of us, far too "precious" to be the subject of noisy proclamation?

As a consequence, the "good news" of God's glory revealed through His Son is not so much shouted as stifled. It's as though we are somehow ashamed of the sheer blatancy of God's action in coming among us. "Lift up thy voice with strength," urges Isaiah, "Lift it up, be not afraid." There are times when silence is golden, but there are also times when silence is gutless.

In any case, to hide light is to defeat its very reason for being. (Forty Days with the Messiah by David Winter, p. 33)

We are to be bearers of the light to SHOUT and SHINE it to the world! Let's not be afraid. Shall we?

"This Little Light of Mine"  
by Harry Dixon Loes (1895-1965) circa 1920

This little light of mine/I'm gonna' let it shine 

This little light of mine/I'm gonna' let it shine 

This little light of mine/I'm gonna' let it shine 

Let it shine/Let it shine/Let it shine 

Hide it under a bushel Oh no!/I'm gonna' let it shine 

Hide it under a bushel Oh no!/I'm gonna' let it shine 

Hide it under a bushel Oh no!/I'm gonna' let it shine 

Let it shine/All the time/Let it shine

I had a bad attitude in church a couple of weeks ago. There was a part of my teaching job at the university that I just do not like, and I was grumbling about it to the Lord during communion and wondering why I was even at the university in the first place. I had other things going on that were more pressing, and I didn’t really need this job. I was trying to have a "listen and obey" time with God in hopes of improving my attitude. Then, this little girl gets up as the elements of communion are being passed and belts out a modern rendition of the song above, and I hear God, in His ever so gentle voice say, “Carol, don’t you remember I told you to be light and joy to this campus?”

As the girl belted it, I cried tears of repentance. “Yes, Lord, thank you for reminding me. I will let this little light of mine shine.” 

STRENGTH STRETCHING

What are you going to do with what you have learned? What is your "I will" statement?

I find Christmas an excellent time to let my light shine! We have had such wonderful times around our Advent wreath. One time, we were explaining the meaning of all the candles to our Muslim friends. We thought we were done and were ready for our meal, and they said, "No, we would rather not eat right now and learn more about this!" 

There is no reason to be afraid. If you are afraid, talk to God about it right now. Let Him show you the source of your fears. Confess it all to Him and let Him speak!

You also might not have compassion. Maybe your fear overpowers your compassion. Ask God to open your heart to see the darkness all around you. Ask Him to give you a heart for the things that break His heart.

Maybe you do not really believe this is GOOD NEWS. Talk to God about that if this is the case. 

As I type this at a public library, there has been a smiling woman, obviously from another country, practicing her English. "I will" pray that God opens a door to talk with her! :)

(Update: This woman and I became friends.  I was able to pray for her as she studied for an important medical exam. We had many great conversations. She wanted to learn about what the Bible says about her prophets. Isn't it great to have "I WILL" statements, follow through, and see God bless it?)

Day 6-7: He Shall Purify - Scene 2 (6-7)

Take the next two days to meditate on these stirring movements.

HEART HEARING

Movement 6 - Bass

Movement 6 - Alto 

Movement 7 - Chorus

Scene 2b - "The prophecy of the coming of Messiah and the question, despite, of what this may portend for the World" 

6. Aria (Alto or Bass) 

But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire. (Malachi 3:2)

(This aria was originally written for a bass [as you hear in the first recording above], but Handel rewrote this part for the great Guadagni [a castrated male who sang in the mezzo-soprano/countertenor range]. Today, alto women sing this aria also [as in the second recording above].) 
 
7. Chorus

And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)

MIND MEDITATION

Malachi 3

As you learned yesterday, Jesus, the messenger of the covenant, would bring His Shekinah glory (manifest presence of God) to earth.  We can think of the comfort that brings, but it can also bring fear because He is also a God of justice (Malachi 2:17). 

Malachi's message speaks of the "Day of the Lord" which will be a day of judgment of the whole world (Isaiah 2:12; Joel 3:11-16; Amos 5:18-21; Zechariah 1:14-18; Malachi 4:1). This is a day when the wicked will not endure before the presence of the Lord.

He will be like a refiner's fire that burns away the dross from metal ores and launderer's soap that will cleanse and purify the Levite priests (leaders) of Israel. This was so they could offer clean, acceptable sacrifices (Mark 9:3; Revelation 3:5). In addition to the priests, He will judge the rest of the nation and purge it of its sin. While it is a day of judgment for those who reject Him, it will be a day of comfort and joy for the faithful as they look forward to an eternity in His presence!

I LOVE how the voices in the chorus crescendo and sing together "and that they may offer unto the Lord" then go back softly to "an offering of righteousness." So beautiful. It grabs my heart every...single...time I hear it!

The ultimate goal is an offering to Him, but He cannot violate His holiness and justice. Because of God's mercy, we are to offer up ourselves as living, holy sacrifices, pleasing to Him; but refinement is part of the process toward that beautiful crescendo of righteousness (Romans 12:1). 

SOUL SEARCHING

God's holy, refining presence can be a terrifying thing. These verses remind me of when Peter, James, and John were on the high mountain with Jesus during His transfiguration, a voice came out of a bright, overshadowing cloud, and they were "terrified" until the voice said, "Listen to Him!" Then they only saw Jesus (Matthew 17:1-6). While there was terror in the manifest presence of God (Who could stand? They didn't!), there was also the touch of Jesus who said "Get up, and do not be afraid." Terror with a touch; I like that.

We have to get to a point in our walk with Jesus where we see His purification as a part of His plan for our good!

God’s will for you is that you be the best person possible. When you are less than your best, God is wounded, and you have little joy. His passing of judgment is for the purpose of restoring you to your true value, your best self. If he were not a God of judgment, he would not be a God of love. For love wills that you turn to the light, and woos you with love until you do so.(Handel’s Messiah: A Devotional Commentary, p. 24)

The ultimate goal is the offering of acceptable sacrifices.  It really is a win-win for us and Him.

STRENGTH STRETCHING

What are you going to do with this new revelation in your heart?

Traditionally, the Advent period was a time of self-examination and purging of sin so that we could be prepared to receive Him at Christmas. This might be an appropriate time to do so.

Investigate my life, O God,

find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

get a clear picture of what I’m about;

See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong
-- then guide me on the road to eternal life.

The Message (Ps 139:23–24)

Day 5: Glory and Desire of All Nations Shall Come - Scene 2 (Movement 5)

HEART HEARING

Scene 2 - "The prophecy of the coming of Messiah and the question, despite, of what this may portend for the World" 

5. Accompanied recitative (Bass)

Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts; Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:6,7) 

(Note: The end of Haggai 2:7 in italics is not in the libretto for the Messiah, but it makes the connection to the previous movement, "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed") 

The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

MIND MEDITATION

Haggai 2:6,7 and Malachi 3:1

Yesterday, we heard Isaiah's prophecy of comfort to Judah: that they would be taken into captivity but someday they would return and the glory of the Lord would be revealed and all flesh would see it together.

Judah did return. Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C., and the exiles were deported to Babylon. When Babylon was overthrown by Cyrus of Persia in 539, the exiles began their return to Jerusalem the next year. Temple construction began in 536, was halted in 530, resumed in 520, and was completed in 516. Sadly, the glory never did return to the temple. That was for a future time. 

Both Haggai and Malachi were prophets during this "postexilic" (after the exile) period though many years apart.

Haggai 2

During the hiatus in building the temple, Haggai prophesied on October 17, 520 B.C., the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. He told the exiles to quit building their homes and careers and get back to building the temple (See Ezra 4 post HERE). But they had mourned that Solomon's temple had been so much more glorious (Ezra 3:10-13). In connection with the glory being revealed in Isaiah 40:3, God promised that He would fill His temple with glory. As a result of his prophecy, temple work resumed just 23 days later. 

Malachi 3

The temple was completed in 516 B.C. Several years later, Malachi came along to confront the Jews in Jerusalem about their neglect of the temple and their false and profane worship exhorting them to go back to a right relationship with God. He was a contemporary of Nehemiah who returned in 444 B.C. to build the wall around Jerusalem. 

Malachi's name means "My messenger." This is appropriate since the name "LORD Almighty" occurs 20 times. Of the 55 verses, 47 are spoken by God - the largest proportion of all the prophets (85%). 

Israel was acting as if they had no God to believe in or hope for. They questioned God's justice because the wicked prospered (Job 21:7-26; 24:1-17; Psalm 73:1-14; Ecclesiastes 8:14; Jeremiah 12:1-4; Habakkuk 1).

God points to a time of justice when He will send His messenger, whom Jesus explicitly identified as John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76), who will prepare the way (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23) for the "messenger of the covenant." This is the Messiah, Jesus!

The new temple was never filled with God's glory, but Haggai 2:6-7 and Malachi 3:1 look to the time when the messenger of the covenant and the "desire of all nations" would come, and the glory of the Lord would fill the temple. 

In Jewish tradition, "desire of all nations" was the messianic title of Christ. Look closely at the words of these two Advent carols (you might be singing them if you are applying my Advent suggestions from November):

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's Strength and Consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear Desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (4th stanza)

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
And be Thyself our King of peace

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel 

Also, look at the words to this often-forgotten 4th stanza of this familiar carol:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
    Hark! the herald angels sing,
    "Glory to the New-born king!"

The "desire" was for "all" nations (peoples), not just for the Jews (Have I not been saying this from the beginning of the Bible Book Club?). Just as God had brought His glory into the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) and Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:2-11), He would bring His very presence in the form of a man, our Immanuel, "God with us." Jesus' ultimate reign will eventually shake all nations when He reigns in righteousness and peace. No human kingdom will stand in the wake of His reign (Matthew 24:29-30; Hebrews 12:26-27). 

SOUL SEARCHING

The Glory Story

"Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:35).  In this cloud was the "Shekinah glory" of God (see also Exodus 24:16). This comes from the Hebrew word shawkan which in the Qal tense means "to settle down to abide." The presence of God had "settled down to abide" in the Tabernacle. In 1 Samuel 4, this abiding presence departed when the people and priests sinned against God. When Solomon dedicated the temple, this Shekinah glory came again to dwell (1 Kings 8:10-11), but their sins made it depart again (Ezekiel 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:23).

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) 

God's glory returned in the person of Jesus Christ as a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel (Luke 2:27,32). 

After His death and resurrection, that glory has come to dwell in the body of believers in Jesus Christ! 

 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Isn't that an awesome thought (and responsibility) to think that God's Shekinah glory dwells in you?

STRENGTH STRETCHING

What are you going to do with this new revelation in your heart?

My "I WILL" is to take care of the body in which He dwells by taking a prayer walk in the sunshine; nourishing my physical body as well as my soul!

How can you reveal God's glory through your actions today?

Day 3-4: Comfort Ye My People - Scene 1 (Movements 2-4)

HEART HEARING 

Movements 2-3

Movement 4

Take the next two days to soak in Isaiah 40:1-5 as you listen to the tenor, orchestra, and chorus in Scene 1.

Scene 1 - "Isaiah's prophecy of salvation"

2. Arioso (Tenor)

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. (Isaiah 40:1-2)

Accompanied recitative (Tenor)

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

3. Aria (Tenor)

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

4. Chorus

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. (Isaiah 40:5)

MIND MEDITATION 

Isaiah 40:1-5

Isaiah 1-39 are primarily messages of judgment on Judah because of her great sin. The chapters culminate with Isaiah proclaiming Judah would be taken into captivity by the Babylonians (39:7). Judah still had another 100 years before this would happen (587/6 B.C.) and another 70 years in exile in Babylon, but Isaiah offered hope of a time of future restoration back to the Promised Land.

"Comfort" is used 13 times in Isaiah 40-66 and means "ease yourself." In Isaiah 40, the prophet says it twice for extra emphasis. "Speak comfortably" means to "speak to the inner person or heart as the seat of emotions, passions, and courage" (Hosea 2:14).

"Comfort ye" is sung as an arioso which is more melodic than an accompanied recitative and less formal than an aria. Literally, arioso means airy. What a perfect style to depict God saying, "Ease yourself Israel."  So, take some time right now to breathe deeply and relax!

The comfort is that even though Judah's captivity would be like enlistment in a war, it would come to an end because they had received just punishment. Instead of shame, they would have a double portion of blessing because He rejoices in restoration (Isaiah 61:7). 

Isaiah called out that they prepare themselves for the LORD by getting into a right relationship with Him and coming out of their spiritual wilderness. 

This is sung in the accompanied recitative style (accompagnato) where the full orchestra underscores the dramatic text as the tenor sings in the rhythm of ordinary speech.

Raising valleys, lowering mountains, and making crooked roads straight is a picture of workmen making a smooth road for a coming king (the music is very royal and majestic at this point). At that time, the wilderness between Babylonia and Jerusalem would have been avoided, but God is saying to make a roadway straight through this area just as the Israelites went through the wilderness when they were delivered from their bondage in Egypt. 

This is sung in an aria which is a solo sung in a lyrical style that repeats words and phrases. In the Baroque era (1600-1750) oratorio, instruments most often accompanied the solo. Arias often include melismas which are several notes accompanying one syllable of text. (The kind that my sons and husband make fun of when I listen to Messiah.)

Handel also used a technique called madrigalism to contrast exalted with low, crooked with straight, and rough with plain. Simply put, this is where the music imitates the word. For example, exalted goes up the scale while low goes down. Listen to it again and see if you can hear this. 

Many years later, John the Baptist would utter the same thing in the wilderness of Judea indicating that the way to prepare was to, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:1-4). Isaiah prophesied not only of Judah's return from captivity but also of the coming King, Jesus, who would come in "glory as of the only begotten from the Father" (John 1:14).

I have highlighted the keyword glory because Jennens included this word in the libretto 14 times! We will discuss it more tomorrow.

We will also return to Isaiah 40 in Movements 9 & 20. Notice that Isaiah 40 was also in the Jesse Tree Review. This is a very important chapter! (It is even worth memorizing.)

SOUL SEARCHING

Preparation for the Coming King

God loves us, and He wants to speak kindly to our inner person. He wants to abundantly pardon. He wants to bless. We just need to prepare the way for Him to do that by creating space and making the way smooth for Him to enter in.

In the midst of meditating on this passage, I got a text, "Carol, I am in the forest wrestling with God. Can you please pray that I can hear his voice clear?"  

I sent her these verses from Isaiah 40 and asked God to speak kindly to her. 

An hour later she wrote:

"Thank you. Two things clear. He loves us completely, and we are completely redeemed. The sword of truth must continue to go forth but with a deeper awareness of our belovedness. My guilt and confusion are gone. Thank you so much!"

Friends, that is the message of Isaiah 40:1-5! Make straight that highway for God in your heart today!

When eastern princes marched through desert countries, ways were prepared for them, and hindrances removed. And may the Lord prepare our hearts by the teaching of his word and the convictions of his Spirit, that high and proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted, crooked and rugged tempers made straight and softened, and every hindrance removed, that we may be ready for his will on earth, and prepared for his heavenly kingdom. (Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (Is 40:1)

STRENGTH STRETCHING

What is your personal "I will" statement for today? 

Who will hold you accountable in your follow-through?

Who will you tell what you learned today?

Here is mine: 

I will prepare my heart for this Advent by asking God to see if there is any hurtful way in me or anything hindering Him from crashing into my life today. I will do this by waiting on Him and listening to Him. 

Accountability

How did you do on your "I will" from December 2?

Here was mine:

I will listen to the music again and imagine that the King of kings is arriving at my home in order to dine with me (Revelations 3:20). I will welcome Him with reverence and joy this Advent season.  

I listened to the Overture (Sinfonia) as I danced around and prepared my Advent wreath table for my coming King:

Day 2: Let Us Sing of Greater Things - Preface and Movement 1

"The Subject excels 
every other Subject. 
The Subject is 

Messiah."

Charles Jennens 

PREFACE or "MOTTOES" 

MAJORA CANAMUS 
(Virgil, Eclogue IV)

And without controversy, 
great is the mystery of godliness: 

God was manifested in the flesh, 
justified by the Spirit, 

seen of angels, 
preached among the Gentiles, 

believed on in the world, 
received up in glory.

(1 Timothy 3:16)

In whom are hid all the 

treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(Colossians 2:3)

Majora Canamus

Jennens prefaces Messiah with a motto from Eclogue IV (poem in a classical style on a pastoral subject) by Virgil (70 B.C. - 19 B.C.). The English translation of majora canamus is . . .

"Let us sing of greater things." 

Truly, the greatest thing to sing about is the redemption of mankind through the Messiah ("Anointed One")! 

It is interesting to note that Virgil's Eclogue IV imagines: 

. . . a golden age ushered in by the birth of a boy heralded as 'great increase of Jove' . . . Some scholars have also remarked similarities between the eclogue's prophetic themes and the words of Isaiah 11:6: "a little child shall lead."("Eclogues" Wikipedia)

MIND MEDITATION

1 Timothy 3:16

Paul has just finished telling his spiritual son in the faith, Timothy, that the church is the "household of the living God" and the "pillar and support of the truth" (3:15; Ephesians 2:20-22). We have a "common confession" that comprises the basic tenets of our faith. These tenets are the pillars of the church that is built on Jesus Christ. Many commentators believe this verse is quoted from a hymn sung in the early church. 

The truth about godliness was a mystery but was revealed in Jesus Christ when He . . .  

Came in the flesh 

Jesus is our Immanuel which means "God is with us" (Matthew 1:23; John 14:1-9). He is both God and man. He took on the limitations of humanity so He could live and die for all who would believe in Him. Messiah movements 2-33 cover from His birth to His ascension. Jesus is even "with us" now to lead us into a life of abiding in Him. 

and was . . . 

Vindicated by the Spirit  

The Greek word for vindicated means "to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous."  The Spirit worked through Jesus to perform many miracles in His life and His resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:24-36, Romans 1:4, 8:11). This proved His righteousness.  

Exalted in heaven by angels  

Angels announced His coming (Luke 2:13), but they also announced His resurrection (Luke 24:4-6). Hebrews 1:4-14 asserts that Christ is superior to the angels, and they worship Him.  Angels were present from His birth to His assumption into heaven and mentioned several times in Messiah. 

Preached among the nations  

God's intention has always been that the nations (Gentiles, peoples) would be blessed through Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3). Jesus commissioned the church to do this until His return (Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 24:14). 

Believed in the world  

This is the result of these truths being preached among the nations, and it is still happening (1 Cor. 1:18-2:5)! 

Taken up in glory 

He ascended (Acts 1:2, 22, Ephesians 4:10), is preparing a place for all who believe (John 14:2) and will come again and take His church to that glory (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

Paul wanted to make sure Timothy and his congregation at Ephesus understood these basics, and Handel and Jennens wanted us to understand them also!

Colossians 2:3

The false teachers at Colossae were teaching that simply believing in Jesus was not enough and that there was "special wisdom and knowledge" for an elite few. 

Paul wanted the believers then and now to understand that Christ is "all" (a keyword in the book) we need. He is enough and that "all the fullness of God dwells in Him." Believers can move forward with that. 

We are already complete (full) in Christ and rooted in Him (the verb tense means "once for all" rooted). Therefore, we are not to be tumbleweeds!  We were dead, but now we are alive (2:13-14; Ephesians 2:1-10). Our sins have been nailed to the cross, and we are forgiven. 

He warned believers then and now not to be taken captive by false doctrine. We are not to submit ourselves to rules and regulations that Christ never gave us to follow. We are to look to him as our Head. 

Fullness, forgiveness, and freedom are available in Christ. He is all we need. Hallelujah!

PART ONE: The Coming of the Messiah in Overture and Five Scenes

(Note: Each number represents a "movement" or song)

1. Sinfonia (Overture)

Scene 1 (2-4) - Prophecy of Comforting Salvation 

Scene 2 (5-7) - Prophecy of the Lord's Coming from a Terrifying Point of View  

Scene 3 (8-12) - Prophecy of the Virgin Birth of the Messiah 

Scene 4 (13-17) - Angels' Announcement to Shepherds of Christ's Birth 

Scene 5 (18-21) - Prophecy of the Messiah's Deeds on Earth and Man's Response

HEART HEARING

Listen to the beautiful symphonic introduction to Messiah:

"When Biblical truth is joined with music that reaches the soul,

then the human spirit soars." 

Joseph E. McCabe

Handel’s Messiah: A Devotional Commentary, p. 12

Lord Jesus, may our spirits soar to You as we begin this exciting journey! 

1. Sinfonia

It is a symphony set for oboes and strings in the style of a French overture (slow first part and fugue [each instrument "voice" chases the previous one] part). 

The first part has a long note followed by a short note (or groups of notes). It is "stately" and solemn and reminds me of royalty: the King of all kings is coming!

The second part is fast and more like a lively dance! Like the joyful exultation we will have when our King of kings comes in all His glory at the Second Coming. 

In the end, the symphony returns to the stately pace to set the tone for the prophecies to come in Scene 1!

SOUL SEARCHING

Realizing that I have an international audience, some of you may have a concept of the "pomp" involved with having a king or queen. As an American, I do not have a frame of reference. The closest I have come to it is watching shows about the Queen of England on PBS and royal weddings! There is something very thrilling about it, and this music captures the glory of the King of ALL kings bursting onto the scene of history to change our lives.  Try to let that sink deeply into your soul today. Pause in God's presence for a moment and think about that (Selah). 

STRENGTH STRETCHING

• Listen for how God might have you respond to this.
• How would God have you live this out in your life?
• Who will hold you lovingly accountable in your follow-through?
• Who will you tell what you learned today? (Telling someone helps cement it in your mind and heart. Brain science proves this!) 

Here is my "I will":

I will listen to the music again and imagine that the King of kings is arriving at my door in order to dine with me (Revelations 3:20). I will welcome Him with reverence and joy this Advent season.  

I will tell you how it went tomorrow!

Day 1: Introduction to Handel's Messiah

"I did think I did see

all heaven before me,  

and the great God Himself." 

George Frideric Handel 

after being asked 

what his feelings were while writing

 the "Hallelujah Chorus"

BACKGROUND ON MESSIAH

What better way to prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ Child this Christmas than Handel's Messiah! Like the Jesse Tree, it is a great review of the Bible Book Club and goes along nicely with your Advent reading. The libretto (the text for a musical work) is straight from God's Word with 60% of it from the Old Testament!

Messiah's libretto was written by Charles Jennens and given to Handel as a gift. Here is a video about Jennens that is well worth the 4 minutes 33 seconds:

You can read a fuller history of Messiah HERE. 

(If you are a music buff like me and want to know more about the musical aspects of Messiah, I highly recommend Handel's Messiah: Comfort for God's People, I had lovely email exchanges with the author asking him questions and him generously answering all of them as I wrote this devotional.)

This piece of creative historical fiction about Handel is very touching:

The composer was in despair.  Struggling to earn a living in London, he knew days when he could not afford to buy meals.  One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets; it was almost dawn when he returned to his shabby room.  On a table was a thick envelope.  It was from Charles Jennens, the man who wrote his librettos.  Examining the pages, he found them covered with Scripture texts. 

        Wearily, he tossed the pages aside and crawled into bed.  But he could not sleep.  The words he had read returned to him: 

        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!

        Too stirred to sleep, he got up and went to his piano.  The music flowed from his heart-rich, majestic, triumphant.  He began to write.  Night and day for three weeks, he wrote feverishly.  He forgot sleep, food, rest.  He refused to see anyone.  At last, on the day the work was finished, one friend managed to gain entrance. 

        The composer was at his piano, sheets of music strewn around him, tears streaming down his face.  "I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself," he exclaimed. 

        Millions of people have been able to believe that.  The first audience to hear the composition -- in Dublin in 1742 --gave it the greatest ovation in the city's history.  Weeks later, London heard it for the first time, and again it was a triumph.  The King was so impressed during the Hallelujah Chorus that he rose to his feet -- a custom that still prevails. 

        This Christmas, in churches and concert halls around the world, millions of people will once again find hope and faith in the message what has become the most beloved composition of all times -- George Frederic Handel's Messiah. 

(http://www.morning-glow.com/holidays/xmas/messiah.html. Sadly, this website no longer exists to give attribution to who wrote this.)

By the way, I went to the room in London where Handel composed Messiah! I was so in awe that I forgot to take a picture. It was holy ground, in my opinion! 

STRUCTURE OF MESSIAH

Messiah was originally performed as part of the Passion Week before Easter. Now, it is traditionally performed at Christmas, but two-thirds of Messiah is about what happens after Christmas:

Part I - The coming of Christ as foretold by the prophets, His first coming (Christmas), and His life. 

Part II - Redemption by Christ's sacrifice and mankind's rejection (Holy Week and Easter). 

Part III - "A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death" at His second coming.

We will cover Parts I and II before Christmas and Part III between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

LISTENING TO MESSIAH

I have videos embedded in each post so you can listen to and read the libretto's words. In the first half of the month, I included many different performances from all over the world. In the second half, the same version is embedded: 

There is a timemark on the YouTube page so you can go directly to each movement.

(If you find any videos are no longer available, please let me know in the comments or contact me at Body and Soul Companion.)

There are many affordable versions for purchase. My favorite is Handel Messiah: The Complete Work conducted by John Rutter, but it seems to only be on streaming platforms now in the US except for an older CD version here. 

The experts say there are more "definitive" versions:

Handel: Messiah (Dublin Version, 1742)

Handel's Messiah: Choir of King's College, Cambridge

I will have the words to the libretto in each individual post, but you can print off the entire one here.

STRUCTURE OF EACH POST

It is my prayer that this devotional will be according to Mark 12:30-31:

"Love the Lord your God 
with all your HEART, 
and with all your SOUL, 

and with all your MIND, 
and with all your STRENGTH" 

(Mark 12:30-31)

Therefore, the structure of your time with God will include:

Heart Hearing of God through the music, 

Mind Meditation on the Scriptural text, 

Soul Searching as you let the text sink in deeply, hopefully leading to...

Strength Stretching as God leads you to apply this to your life.

The most important thing is to SLOW DOWN during this fast-paced season, enjoy a hot beverage, and encounter the Messiah as you listen to this beautiful oratorio!

Do not forget Advent Week 1: Prophets.