Dear Mr. Handel,
We’ve not made acquaintance. That’s quite impossible since you lived centuries before me, but we will meet when the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise. I desired to write you now, though, to thank you for using your musical talent for our Lord God. Your compositions have touched our world and inspired many, giving Hope even in darkest times.
I’m acquainted with the deep struggle
you went through during your writing of The Messiah. How you poured out
your soul to your Creator, seeking His guidance so this masterpiece would be solely
from His Hands, not yours—you desiring His Will be done! How you starved,
became so ill and weak, and slept minimally!
I learned the Scriptures used in The
Messiah were chosen by another, inspired to share them with you for this
purpose. But how did you create such a masterpiece in that summer of 1741 in less
than a month’s time? Surely the Holy Spirit worked through you—His instrument.
And in the 284 years since, your composition is still revered worldwide!
Beyond your composing The Messiah
for King George II as his court musician, it was truly written by the King of
Kings—each piece speaking Scripture through music. Those who’ve sung it (or
heard it repeatedly) find The Word of God flowing from their lips.
Just three weeks ago, my husband,
son, and I traveled a long way. We were so weary! My husband plugged in his
IPOD. “Ancient technology,” he said (but of course you don’t know of such a thing).
We listened to The Messiah from beginning to nearly the end, and the
beauty and inspiration we received carried us all the way home in our vehicle
(something else you know nothing of).
We pulled in the driveway to Hallelujah!
Please forgive us, gifted composer, for we did not stand while it played, as
did King George II when he heard the first performance. Be assured, though, our
hearts “leapt to their feet!”
Mr. Handel, our world is so terribly
troubled in this era. Was it so in yours? This is why I’ve chosen to share in
this blog post (“What is that?” you’ll also wonder) some pieces from The
Messiah.
There is overwhelming sadness. So
many know not the Savior. They yearn to be comforted in their sorrow but seek
this in wrong places and in empty ways. I’m so glad one of your pieces shares
the message of comfort—to all and especially mentioned, Jerusalem.
Comfort Ye My
People
Handel
Messiah, Tenor Accompagnato: Comfort ye, my people
(Isaiah 40:1,2)
Did you experience God’s comfort when
you went through trials, struggling with anxiety and hardly able to make ends
meet with the path you’d chosen—giving your life to music? And may I not forget
to mention the challenge in and of itself, being the King’s court musician!
Many in our world also seek to be
led. Some follow false leaders and evil doers. I’m sure you knew of those in
your time as well. Every century has both. Still, we people, being like sheep,
seek a shepherd to lead us safely and with tender loving care. If only more
souls knew the Good Shepherd, our God, Who gave His life for His sheep.
He Shall Lead His
Flock Like a Shepherd
Handel:
Messiah | He shall feed his flock | Academy of Ancient Music & VOCES8
(Isaiah 40:11)
You must have experienced the Good
Shepherd’s care in your life when you suffered strokes, eventually leaving you
blind. I wonder if hearing your oratorio ministered to you as well.
Oh, how wonderful it would be if we
sheep grasped that our God can carry us through any trials that come our way
because for Him, the load He carries is but a light affliction.
His Yoke Is Easy,
His Burden Is Light
Handel
Messiah, Chorus: His yoke is easy
(Matthew 11:30)
All this is possible because a Child
was born! Mr. Handel, it won’t be long now until we celebrate that Baby’s
birth—Christmas. Isn’t it astounding, though, His Birth was prophesied long
before even you were born? And, although this piece from The Messiah is
usually heard at Christmas time, I love hearing it throughout the year. It holds
such Hope—such promise!
For Unto Us a
Child Is Born
Handel
Messiah, Chorus: For unto us a Child is born
(Isaiah 9:6)
Again, thank you for all the life you
poured into composing The Messiah. I will close with the song that
filled our vehicle at the end of our journey three weeks ago, as it makes one’s
heart sing even in the darkest hours.
Mr. Handel, I will greet you in
Eternity where we’ll join the music, praising God—the King of Kings and True
Composer of The Messiah which was entrusted to your care!
Hallelujah Chorus
Handel:
Messiah | Hallelujah Chorus | VOCES8 & Academy of Ancient Music
(Revelation 19:6)
Gratefully yours,
a lover of music from another time &
place who, decades ago, played some of your pieces
#Handel #TheMessiah #KingGeorgeII #music
#troubledworld #comfort #shepherd
#HolySpiritinspired
#Scriptures #LordGod #PromisedChild #Hallelujah
This is a
colorized version of The Great Mr. Handel ~
the story telling
how The Messiah came to be!
The Great Mr.
Handel 1942 (Full Film) - YouTube
It moves me each time I watch it.
Photo Credit: letter writing—stock.photo.com,
Handel—allaboutHandel.com, musical score--CCARHWiki
Musical Credit: Tafelmusik & Academy of Ancient Music
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