If you were going to tell the story of the Messiah, where would you start? Genesis 1, at the creation of the world? My husband said he would start with the Gospel of John, "In the beginnig was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Mr. Jennens (who chose the Scriptures for Handel to use in his oratorio, The Messiah) chose to start with sinful mankind desperately in need of a Savior.
A tenor voice announces, "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. 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."
That is a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-3) who lived and prophecied a few years before the Israelites went into captivity in Babylon. It is written in old English because Mr. Jennens used the King James Version of the Bible. It's not that hard to follow and it sings well.
The tenor follows with, "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain."
The chorus answers with "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." (These last two are also from Isaiah 40, verses 4 and 5.)
This then is the initial announcement of the fulfilling of many prophecies in the Old Testament. Messiah will come. God's promises are sure.
You may be surprised at what comes next, and may think we've completely lost track of where we are going. Hang in there. It lays a wonderful foundation for the coming of Messiah.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Interesting tidbit
The date is August 30th. Today I went shopping in the local Dollar Store. Guess what I saw when I walked in the door - - - - CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS !!!
Paulita
Paulita
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Handel's Messiah
One of the great oratorios most often performed at Christmas time is Handel's Messiah. In fact Christmas doesn't seem like Christmas without singing in, or at least attending a performance of the Messiah. But I found out that Handel meant for his oratorio to be performed at Easter.
Handel composed his oratorio in 1741 from August 22nd to September 14th. (24 days !) That means that he composed it around this time of year. It was first performed for a charitable concert in Dublin, Ireland the next spring on April 13, 1742. Every year after that, starting with March 23, 1743, it was performed in London.
My copy of the Messiah includes the Scriptural words as part of the table of contents. I took the time to find out where they were located in the Bible and then I wondered who it was who chose them for this oratorio. It was not Handel! It was a man named Charles Jennens. He is not even mentioned as the compiler in my copy. My information said he chose Scriptures for other Handel works, too. It also said he was not too happy that Handel had whipped out the music for his chosen Scriptures in only 24 days! Little did he know of the lasting impact the Messiah would have on both Christians and non-Christians throughout the centuries.
I am going to use the next few blogs to write out the words and then see if they are the ones I would have chosen to tell Messiah's story. I'll also find out if we should be singing this oratorio for Christmas, Easter, or both.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Handel composed his oratorio in 1741 from August 22nd to September 14th. (24 days !) That means that he composed it around this time of year. It was first performed for a charitable concert in Dublin, Ireland the next spring on April 13, 1742. Every year after that, starting with March 23, 1743, it was performed in London.
My copy of the Messiah includes the Scriptural words as part of the table of contents. I took the time to find out where they were located in the Bible and then I wondered who it was who chose them for this oratorio. It was not Handel! It was a man named Charles Jennens. He is not even mentioned as the compiler in my copy. My information said he chose Scriptures for other Handel works, too. It also said he was not too happy that Handel had whipped out the music for his chosen Scriptures in only 24 days! Little did he know of the lasting impact the Messiah would have on both Christians and non-Christians throughout the centuries.
I am going to use the next few blogs to write out the words and then see if they are the ones I would have chosen to tell Messiah's story. I'll also find out if we should be singing this oratorio for Christmas, Easter, or both.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Christmas Carol for August
iT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good-will to men from heaven's all-gracious King":
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary load, and hear the angels sing.
For lo, the days are hastening on by prophet seen of old,
When, with the evercircling years, shall come the time fore-told,
When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
I am so intrigued by how these carols, especially this one, are put together. The first verse tells the story or incident, the second verse is me, here and now, and the third verse looks forward to Jesus' return to earth. My prayer is that as you rest beside your weary load, you'll hear the angels sing.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good-will to men from heaven's all-gracious King":
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
And ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary load, and hear the angels sing.
For lo, the days are hastening on by prophet seen of old,
When, with the evercircling years, shall come the time fore-told,
When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
I am so intrigued by how these carols, especially this one, are put together. The first verse tells the story or incident, the second verse is me, here and now, and the third verse looks forward to Jesus' return to earth. My prayer is that as you rest beside your weary load, you'll hear the angels sing.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
What Difference does Christmas Make?
Of course Christmas makes a great deal of difference to a merchant. Most of his sales are at Christmas. But if Jesus' birth was so important, and I believe it was, how did those who were close at the time respnd to it? How could some of them miss it?
The Innkeeper - He was a very busy man trying to fit as many of the people who were visiting Bethlehem into his inn. By the time Mary and Joseph arrived and the birth of Jesus was imminent, he was just too busy to think they could be anything other than just another couple, albeit she was pregnant. So he provided what he could in the way of lodging, but he missed the blessing of Christmas.
How often I've also been so busy that I miss the blessing of Christmas!
The religious leaders ie. chief priests and teachers of the law - When King Herod was confronted by the wise men seeking a new baby king, he consulted with these leaders to find out exactly where the Messiah would be born. The leaders knew. They were well aware of the scripture that pinpointed Bethlehem as His birthplace. Even though they knew this, they didn't bother to check out the report of the wisemen or even ask Herod why he wanted to know. Their indifference caused them to miss Christmas, too.
Am I so preoccupied at Christmas that I become indifferent to the wonder of the miracle?
Herod - He didn't want Christmas! He was the king and didn't want anyone usurping his throne. He was bah-humbug personified, but more than that he was afraid: afraid he'd lose his position and power, afraid of being associated with anything or anybody that might be considered fanatic, afraid of losing his autonomy if this really proved to be the Messiah.
How do you feel about Jesus?
The shepherds - Would you announce the special birth of the Savior of the world to shepherds? There's nothing wrong with being a shepherd but it's certainly not a stutus occupation. Men were shepheds but so were children and women. These were very ordinary people following a simple lifestyle. But suddenly God parted the sky and a glorious angel announced to these startled shepherds that the Savior had come. Did they care? You bet they did! They may not have been scholars, but they did know there was a God who had created the earth they traversed and the stars they camped under each night. They knew He provided for them and they were accountable to Him, and they were terrified!
But they left their flocks and ran to find the Savior, the newborn king, and when they did, they returned to their flocks, telling everyone on the way what they had seen and heard!
Christmas is coming in only 127 days. Will we be too busy to notice that it is Jesus' birth? Will we treat the miracle of God's gift to us with indifference? Will we be afraid that if we acknowledge Jesus is the Savior of mankind we'll also have to acknowledge that we need Him? Or will we readily hear the angels' voices, greet Christ's birth with joy and thanksgiving, and tell everyone we meet during the season the Good News?
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
The Innkeeper - He was a very busy man trying to fit as many of the people who were visiting Bethlehem into his inn. By the time Mary and Joseph arrived and the birth of Jesus was imminent, he was just too busy to think they could be anything other than just another couple, albeit she was pregnant. So he provided what he could in the way of lodging, but he missed the blessing of Christmas.
How often I've also been so busy that I miss the blessing of Christmas!
The religious leaders ie. chief priests and teachers of the law - When King Herod was confronted by the wise men seeking a new baby king, he consulted with these leaders to find out exactly where the Messiah would be born. The leaders knew. They were well aware of the scripture that pinpointed Bethlehem as His birthplace. Even though they knew this, they didn't bother to check out the report of the wisemen or even ask Herod why he wanted to know. Their indifference caused them to miss Christmas, too.
Am I so preoccupied at Christmas that I become indifferent to the wonder of the miracle?
Herod - He didn't want Christmas! He was the king and didn't want anyone usurping his throne. He was bah-humbug personified, but more than that he was afraid: afraid he'd lose his position and power, afraid of being associated with anything or anybody that might be considered fanatic, afraid of losing his autonomy if this really proved to be the Messiah.
How do you feel about Jesus?
The shepherds - Would you announce the special birth of the Savior of the world to shepherds? There's nothing wrong with being a shepherd but it's certainly not a stutus occupation. Men were shepheds but so were children and women. These were very ordinary people following a simple lifestyle. But suddenly God parted the sky and a glorious angel announced to these startled shepherds that the Savior had come. Did they care? You bet they did! They may not have been scholars, but they did know there was a God who had created the earth they traversed and the stars they camped under each night. They knew He provided for them and they were accountable to Him, and they were terrified!
But they left their flocks and ran to find the Savior, the newborn king, and when they did, they returned to their flocks, telling everyone on the way what they had seen and heard!
Christmas is coming in only 127 days. Will we be too busy to notice that it is Jesus' birth? Will we treat the miracle of God's gift to us with indifference? Will we be afraid that if we acknowledge Jesus is the Savior of mankind we'll also have to acknowledge that we need Him? Or will we readily hear the angels' voices, greet Christ's birth with joy and thanksgiving, and tell everyone we meet during the season the Good News?
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Friday, August 15, 2008
Gifts, Gifts, and more Gifts
I've gone Christmas shopping again, but apparently I'm not the only one. An article came out in our local paper entitled, "Christmas in August." It said prices are going to be higher this Christmas season, so it's a good time to shop now. I think I basically distrust the motivation behind the article, but since I had the same idea, (only with a different slant) I'm running with it.
I purchsed four more gifts. Summer is a great time for sales and I found a good one on HUGE beach towels. Do you think you'd like to get a beach towel for Christmas? I generally buy sweaters etc. at Christmas time, but why not beach towels? They might be useful for swimming classes or Hawaiian vacations, and they certainly won't rot waiting for next summer. This super sale offered "Buy one towel, get two free." How could I pass that up? I already have them alloted.
But I said four gifts. I ordered The Bible Answer Book for Students for my granddaughter who will be a senior in high school. It has answers not only for spiritual questions, but for ethical, moral, and social questions. It sounds like a good source of info from someone other than parents. I'll let you know when it comes if I can recommend it further.
Well, from looking at my list I have about 8 more gifts to buy and 4 months to do it. I need to double up. I'll get it done. I really will. Until then...
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
I purchsed four more gifts. Summer is a great time for sales and I found a good one on HUGE beach towels. Do you think you'd like to get a beach towel for Christmas? I generally buy sweaters etc. at Christmas time, but why not beach towels? They might be useful for swimming classes or Hawaiian vacations, and they certainly won't rot waiting for next summer. This super sale offered "Buy one towel, get two free." How could I pass that up? I already have them alloted.
But I said four gifts. I ordered The Bible Answer Book for Students for my granddaughter who will be a senior in high school. It has answers not only for spiritual questions, but for ethical, moral, and social questions. It sounds like a good source of info from someone other than parents. I'll let you know when it comes if I can recommend it further.
Well, from looking at my list I have about 8 more gifts to buy and 4 months to do it. I need to double up. I'll get it done. I really will. Until then...
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Word Became Flesh
"How many more days 'till Christmas?"
Starting December first, that was my constant question. Even though my parents tried to limit the anticipation and excitement to a two or three week time frame, my focus was Christmas and what Santa would bring.
In our home there was no emphasis on Christmas being Jesus' birthday, but at Sunday school we kids memorized the Christmas story from Lluke 2:8-14 and sang the carols that announced His birth.
A stained glass window in our church showed Jesus, the Shepherd, holding a lamb. When the church was decorated with red poinsettias, I knew this was the Jesus of Christmas. When the decorations were put away, He was still my Jesus, my Shepherd. I didn't know the theology behind "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," but I knew Jesus came, lived on earth, and died for my sins. Jesus loved me and was always with me. I knelt by my bed and prayed and He heard me. He was my way to God.
Later I realized He had indeed transferred me from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light. When Jesus came from the Father, He brought a gift no one else could give - the gift of Himself, the promised Savior of the world.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
Starting December first, that was my constant question. Even though my parents tried to limit the anticipation and excitement to a two or three week time frame, my focus was Christmas and what Santa would bring.
In our home there was no emphasis on Christmas being Jesus' birthday, but at Sunday school we kids memorized the Christmas story from Lluke 2:8-14 and sang the carols that announced His birth.
A stained glass window in our church showed Jesus, the Shepherd, holding a lamb. When the church was decorated with red poinsettias, I knew this was the Jesus of Christmas. When the decorations were put away, He was still my Jesus, my Shepherd. I didn't know the theology behind "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," but I knew Jesus came, lived on earth, and died for my sins. Jesus loved me and was always with me. I knelt by my bed and prayed and He heard me. He was my way to God.
Later I realized He had indeed transferred me from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light. When Jesus came from the Father, He brought a gift no one else could give - the gift of Himself, the promised Savior of the world.
Merry Christmas,
Paulita
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