Handel's Messiah, Part II

Part II of Handel's Messiah is all about Jesus' sacrifice for us. Many of the choruses are used in Christmas concerts, and indeed, this section ends with the triumphant "Hallelujah Chorus," a Christmas favorite.

But after seeing the emphasis Mr. Jennens (who compiled the Scriptures for the oratorio) places on this part and his central positioning of it, I have to agree with him and Handel that this oratorio was meant to be performed at Easter.

Nevertheless, here's what you may hear this Christmas season: the chorus opens with the very startling and moving, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:29) This, of course, is the reason Jesus was born, and is the central message of the Bible.

The alto soloist followed by the chorus gives us much of Isaiah's prophecy concerning Christ's death. "He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." (Isaiah 53:3)

The next part of the alto's solo is usually omitted. It is not a quote from the Isaiah passage which preceeds and follows it, but is quoted from Isaiah 50:6 It almost seems to be a tag ending to say, "Hey, this was real and violent." In fact, it is verified and testified to in Matthew's gospel account. (Matthew 26:67 and Matthew 27:30) The orchestral accompaniment is very agitated as these words are sung: "He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; He hid not his face from shame and spitting."

The chorus continues directly with the Isaiah 53 prophecy: "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Far from being distracting during the Christmas celebration, these words emphasize why Jesus was born. If Jesus remains only a baby in a manger, he cannot do much for me, but I can rejoice that God kept His Christmas promise and sent a Savior for my soul.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita