#138. Every Valley
In these devotions leading up to Christmas I will take excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and help us think about how they link to us in 2020.
Handel’s Messiah is made up of 3 parts.
Part 1 is The prophecy and realisation of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah.
Part 2 The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Christ, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty.
Part 3 A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death
Altogether there are 53 pieces/tracks, and so I plan to just look at a selection of the pieces.
This morning we will highlight Part 1 and numbers 3 and 4 piece/track.
The tracks are entitled — (3) Every Valley Shall Be Exalted and (4) The Glory of the Lord. Why not have a listen to them here — 3. Every Valley shall be exalted
and. 4. And the Glory of the Lord
The music to these pieces is very upbeat and it was Isaiah’s prophecy that looked to a time when the road would be clear for people to see the glory of the Lord.
Last night at Prayer Central we heard how this prophesy would be fulfilled in multiple ways.
It would be fulfilled:
When Israel would turn away from their sin and see God’s glory as they returned from the exile.
John the Baptist would prepare the way for Jesus as John preached and called people to repent (turn back) and then they saw the lamb of God (Jesus) who takes away the sin of the world.
Believers would see the glory of the Lord when they repent and one day see the Lord Jesus on His return. We would marvel at Him and worship Him fully.
Today think about things in your life that are blocking (the road) from seeing Jesus. Is there unconfessed sin? Do you hold a grudge? Are you bitter? Take these sins to Jesus and repent of them.
Know his forgiveness, remember what 1 John 1v8-10 says -
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us …
What a wonderful promise we have this morning. God is faithful, just and he will forgive us our sins. Remember this and enjoy this truth. Following this, enjoy what it means to know forgiveness and your Heavenly Father who really loves you. Yes, you’re not perfect but you’re forgiven and He sees you through the lens of Jesus (2 Cor 5:12).
Much love
Tim
#137. Christmas Music - Handel
In the Neale household Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of Handel’s Messiah. For the remainder of the devotions leading up to Christmas I want to take some of the themes of this choral work and for it to help us in our ‘devotion’ to the Messiah.
Today I simply want to list 10 facts about the Messiah and point you in the direction of the piece of music that you can listen to.
So here are 10 facts about the work -
It was premiered in Dublin in 1742, and performed for the first time in London a year later at the Covent Garden Theatre.
The tradition of standing for the Hallelujah chorus was begun by King George II at the London premiere, and of course when the King stands so does everybody else…
Musicians are often on the lookout for more work. Handel’s Messiah was so popular in the 19th century that it was easy to get it programmed, and to create work for as many players as possible extra parts were written for more instruments.
Handel composed the piece in only twenty four days. Whilst some think it was divine inspiration, he was actually just really good at writing quickly. He composed operas of a similar length during the short times between theatrical seasons.
The proceeds from the Dublin premiere (about £400) went to local charities.
The original version of Messiah is lost, as Handel edited and re-worked the music in the years following the premiere.
Though German born, Handel lived in a London flat in Brook Street, near Oxford Street, from the age of forty until his death. He was there when he wrote Messiah.
At the end of the manuscript, Handel wrote the letters SDG, standing for Soli Deo Gloria, ‘To God alone the glory’.
The famous theologian John Wesley (co-founder of the Methodist church) was at the premiere of Messiah. In his Journal he wrote ‘there were some parts that were affecting, but I doubt it has staying power’.
Mozart wrote an arrangement of it in 1789, with the words in German.
A friend of mine and his family play the work on Christmas morning as a tradition whilst tucking into their bacon and eggs. Its a wonderful piece and many of you will know much of it already.
Here’s my copy. listen here
Listen to the piece through advent - it will do you good.
much love
Tim Neale