Handel's Messiah - Part I

After my last post about a song that quoted Luke 2, I kept thinking about a recitative from Handel's Messiah.  A recitative is a song that is usually short and uses ordinary speech rhythms to sound as if it is being recited or spoken.  The specific recitative on my mind was "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying," which then launches into the more familiar "Glory to God".  Handel's Messiah is one of my favorite oratorio and is often thought of at Christmas (though it really depicts much more about our Savior than just his birth).  I couldn't resist sharing this scriptural concert with you.

I was introduced to Handel's Messiah as a child, hearing it at concerts.  During the 90's, my parents took our family to Handel's Young Messiah concerts.  I am so thankful that they drove us more than two hours to go to concerts where the popular Christian singers of the day like Steven Curtis Chapman, 4Him, Sandi Patty, Carman, and the Winans rocked modern versions of Handel's Messiah.  If you have yet to hear this, I highly recommend it.

In my college years, I was blessed to join the college choir that performed this and other oratorios.  That only enhanced my appreciation for this masterpiece as I finally understood all of the emotion Handel built into it.  First, Handel ushers into the holy sanctuary with the Overture and then captures the feeling behind each scripture perfectly.  From the comforting Comfort Ye, to the glorious Glory of the Lord.  From the dark The People That Walked in Darkness, to the joyful Rejoice Greatly.  From the pastoral He Shall Feed His Flock to the light His Yoke is Easy.  This masterpiece definitely helps the listener to comprehend the depth of our Promised One, the Messiah.

(1) Overture

(9) O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion

Isaiah 40:9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

(13) Pastoral Symphony

(18) Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Zechariah 9:9,10 (Matthew 21:5) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior. . And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.