We recently began rehearsing for this year’s presentation of The Messiah. It will take place at Knox Presbyterian church - right here in Kincardine, on Saturday, December 20th at 7 pm. I can’t wait. We missed last year. You might recall that. You might not. I remember.

Handel composed Messiah (1741) - an English language oratorio that traces the story of Jesus Christ. Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. The Messiah has gained in popularity throughout these last few hundred years and has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music. The ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music and the most widely known section of the work. Though it was originally written for Easter, Handel’s Messiah has also become a mainstay of the festive season.

Handel deliberately kept the dramatic content of his Messiah understated – it was in church after all. He created a piece based on three concepts: the story of the nativity and its prophecy; that of the crucifixion and redemption of mankind; and a commentary on the Christian soul and its victory over death. In each of these three parts, the chorus is absolutely at the heart of the work, complemented by four vocal soloists and an orchestra.

Handel composed Messiah in just 24 days without getting much sleep and or eating much food. While writing the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus Handel’s servant discovered him with tears in his eyes, and he exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”

My love affair with Handel’s Messiah began in my late 20’s. We had just moved to Listowel to begin our pastorate there and I was looking for ways to be involved in our community - meet new friends etc. I joined the Listowel Community Singers and I sang with the choir for ten years. We performed parts of the Messiah every year - sometimes at Christmas and sometimes at Easter. Someone once said to me that they had attended one of the performances and watched me sing. They said they could tell I was enjoying myself. I replied to them that I did enjoy singing such a fantastic piece of music but mostly because I believe the words.

As I rehearse the choruses - at home and with the whole choir - I’m reminded that Jesus was prophesied to come to be the Messiah/Immanuel - meaning God is with us! Prophets weren’t enough. Apostles wouldn’t do. Angels wouldn’t suffice. God (the Father) sent more than miracles or a message. He sent Himself in the person of His Son.

My siblings and I attended Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in December, 2009. We witnessed the Biblical Christmas Story come to life on stage. I was mesmerized from the moment the curtains went up. The story began in the days just before Christ was born - in the days that were dismal for God’s people - in the days when Roman rule was foremost - in the days when Caesar ruled with an iron fist - in the days of waiting - in the days of wondering if the promised Messiah would ever come - in the days of difficulties and distress. I felt the despair. I felt the frustration and panic and fear.

I wondered at the excitement when Mary was chosen to be the mother of God’s Son. I was gripped by the actors as they portrayed hope that the prophecy of the promised Messiah was going to happen.

Immanuel - would be all in for His people. He would leave heaven for earth and become one of us - yet remaining fully God - and - for 2,000 years since that very first Christmas, He has been with us! He became a human so that He could relate to us - to me - to you - personally and individually.

Max Lucado said it this way!

“Immanuel isn’t just the God of big churches - the super spiritual - the wealthy - the pastors - perfect families.

He’s so much bigger than that.

His love is bigger. His Presence is bigger.

Because……He’s also and especially the Immanuel of - oncology visits - broken hearts - empty bank accounts - funeral homes - rehab rooms - sleepless nights - bathroom floors - messy selves and messy lives.

The places where it’s just me and Him. The places only He can really see - hear - understand - guide - comfort - heal. The places of loss - despair - loneliness - doubt - fear.

Immanuel is also in the places of growth - hope - belonging - grace - peace. The places that nothing and no one else can touch except for this big - big - Immanuel - God with us - Messiah. Those are the most sacred places of all - and - some of the most beautiful.

Immanuel - God with us.

Our God - Who will never leave us.”

Romans 8:38, 39 - “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This December - hear Handel’s Messiah for the first time or the fiftieth time - and be amazed that the baby Jesus of Bethlehem was born to be your Immanuel - God with you.