Last night I was very privileged (thanks to Randy, Barb and Angel) and blessed to be able to attend the magnificent performance of "The Messiah" by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra! It was so beautiful that, at times, it seemed that some of heaven's choir must be joining the chorus!
It humbles me greatly to know that over 200 years ago God wrote this masterpiece through his servant, George Frederic Handel, and it is still today blessing thousands of hearts every Christmas!
I trust that your heart will be humbled and blessed as you read this condensed story of the Messiah -- the King of Glory!
"George Frederic Handel was struggling against creditors and hunger in 1741. People were too poor and too cold to interest themselves in music that winter. He paced the floor, wondering why musicians and composers had to struggle so hard to make a living. Suddenly there was a crash -- then silence.
Handel's servant heard the strange crash and ran upstairs. There in the hall lay Handel, the genius, his mouth open and a vacant stare in his eyes. When the Dr. arrived, he shook his head. After his diagnosis, he turned to go. The servant fearfully asked, "Dr., is he going to die?" "A miracle might save his life, but his left side is paralyzed."
Weeks wore on. The great composer revived some, but was unable to use his left hand to play, and his mind seemed dull. The Dr. advised a trip to the hot springs in France. Handel went to France with a great desire to live and compose again. He spent hours in the hot baths. Within a few weeks he had largely recovered his health.
Back in London, Handel began to play again and to compose some. Then hard times struck again. The Spanish wars were raging. His pension had been cut off. People were hungry for bread. Winter came on, and at times Handel had to pace the streets to keep warm and evade his creditors. Inspiration had left him. He was despondent, and seemed to be losing his strength, his mind, his belief in God and his desire to live.
"Oh, God, why has all this come?" he cried in despair. He dragged himself to his study before retiring. On his table was a large envelope. He tore it open and on the title page were the words, "The Messiah." Seeing that it was another oratorio, he tore the manuscript in half and threw it on the floor. His last oratorios had not met with approval. That night the heavy-hearted composer turned and tossed, unable to get the torn manuscript off his mind. Should he get up and look at it?
The first few words were "Comfore ye, comfort ye my people." The words seemed to soothe him. As he read on, he felt a strange fire surge through his frame. Surely it was a message from the Lord directly to him! The great musician was himself again! God had spoken to his soul! He heard and felt music again as never before!! The words, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" seemed to move every fibre of his body. How they thrilled him. Even the final words, "Amen, Amen, Amen" seemed to thrill him again and he exlaimed, "I cannot slight one word. Every word must play its part."
He began to compose like a man obsessed. He rarely left his room and rarely touched his meals. In only 24 days he composed 260 pages -- an immense physical feat, and the world's greatest oratorio was finished. After finishing the Hallelujah Chorus, he said -- "I did think I did see all heaven before me and the great God Himself!!!
The Messiah met with overwhelming success wherever it was presented. People wept for joy as they heard its moving music. It seemed to breathe of a heavenly land. On one occasion the whole audience, including King George, stood to their feet as the Hallelujah Chorus was sung. It was as if they were standing reverently in the presence of the Divine!
Years later, on a Good Friday, George Frederic Handel attended a presentation of his Messiah, of which he said, (it was written by Another, not me) and joined in singing the Hallelujah Chorus. With the closing notes he sank to the floor and was carried out. He lingered only a short time before he went to join the heavenly choir to sing the Hallelujah Chorus around the Throne of God!"
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