Jesus is Born

"Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us."
How refreshing. This is what we've been waiting for in our journey through Handel's Messiah. This quotation is from Isaiah 7:14. It is also in the New Testament in Matthew 1:22-23 when the writer is confirming to us the significance of the angel's announcement to Joseph.

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

The chorus jubilantly joins her using many of the same words.

Oh, oh, here comes our bass soloist again. He starts out in his somber mood, but he can't help himself this time. Though he commands our attention and we're ready for the worst, he brings us some good news. "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 the light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." (Isaiah 60:2-3)

Did you hear what he said? "...and the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising." Gentiles! The Old Testament says Gentiles shall come to the light. That's us!

The bass continues, "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)

And the chorus (and we, too) respond, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

Merry Christmas,
Paulita