This Christmas season I decided to go through the Scripture text of Handel's Messiah as a way of preparing for Jesus' birth.
What an amazing experience!
Here is a summary of what I learned:
Part one: PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
1. "Comfort Ye" and "The Glory of the Lord"
Isaiah 40: 1-5
a. Jesus paid for my sins.
b. Keep the focus of Christmas on why He came.
2. "Thus Saith the Lord", "But Who May Abide, " and "He Shall Purify"
Haggai 2:6-7, and Malachi 3:1-3
a. This baby Jesus changes everything whether we accept or deny Him.
b. If we deny Jesus: loss of opportunity/possibility of what the Lord could do in our life, loss of comfort and peace in this life, loss of perspective and guidance for life choices, easier but emptier life, ultimately eternal life versus eternal death
c. Purifying is a painful process: squelching sinful response and choosing Godly response.
3. "Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive" (Recitative)
Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
a. Jesus was not an ordinary baby- divine conception.
b. This prophecy requires faith to believe.
4. "O Thou That Tellest", "For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth", "The People That Walked in Darkness", "and For Unto Us a Child is Born"
Isaiah 40:9, 60:1-3, Isaiah 9:2-6
a. Have to realize the despair of sin to appreciate the joy of the Messiah.
b. How to Live: Counselor= comfort and strength, Mighty= power and authority, Everlasting= hope and priority, Peace= Love and Interaction with the Lord
5. "There Were Shepherds" (Recitative), "And Lo", "And the Angel Said Unto Them" (Recitative), "And Suddenly", and "Glory to God"
Luke 2:8-14
a. Do I have a powerful life-changing response to the message of Christmas?
6. "Rejoice, Rejoice" and "Then the Eyes of the Blind" (Recitative)
Zechariah 9:9-10 and Isaiah 35:5-6
a. The birth of Jesus should have an impact on the world around us.
b. How can we help the world know and experience Christ?
c. Jesus brings healing- both physical and spiritual.
7. "He Shall Feed His Flock" and "His Yoke is Easy"
Isaiah 40:11, Matthew 11:28-30
a. We need to love people, not just stand up for the Truth.
b. Jesus brings relief, both physical and spiritual.
c. Jesus helps us do life.
8. "Behold the Lamb of God"
John 1:29
a. Christmas is really about the cross. We need to connect the dots between the birth of Christ and the death of Christ.
9. "He Was Despised", "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs", "And With His Stripes", and "All We Like Sheep"
Isaiah 53:3-6, Isaiah 50:6
a. Am I thankful and grateful for what Christ did for me?
10. "All They That See Him", "He Trusted God", and "Thy Rebuke" (Recitative)
Psalm 22:7-8 and Psalm 69:20
a. Cherish the beauty of the birth of Jesus even though the life ahead of Him would be filled with sorrows.
b. His mother Mary had to ponder this and have hope and faith in the Lord's plan.
11. "Behold and See"
Lamentations 1:12
a. Jesus either means something or nothing to you. Jesus either is the reason for the season or He's not. You have to make a decision.
12. "He Was Cut Off" and "But Thou Didst Not Leave"
Isaiah 53:8 and Psalm 16:10
a. What is my response to such love?
b. Jesus brings hope.
13. "Life Up Your Heads"
Psalm 24:7-10
a. Don't doubt it: this humble baby is truly King!
14. "Unto Which of the Angels" (Recitative) and "Let All the Angels"
Hebrews 1:5-6
a. Jesus is Lord of All.
15. "Thou Are Gone Up High", "The Lord Gave the Word", "How Beautiful Are the Feet", and "Their Sound is Gone Out"
Psalm 68:11-18 and Romans 10:15-18
a. The undeniable need for us to tell others about Christ.
b. The power of God's word to change lives.
Part Two: RESPONDING TO CHRISTMAS
1. "Why Do the Nations", "Let Us Break Their Bands Asunder", and "He That Dwelleth in Heaven" (Recitative)
Psalm 2:1-4
a. I should be more aware and committed to planting seeds for the Kingdom.
b. God loves us so much.
2. "Thou Shalt Break Them" and "Hallelujah"
Psalm 2:9, Revelation 19:6, 11:15, and 19:16
a. God's awesomeness
b. Our reverence and adoration for the Lord
3. "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" and "Since by Man Came Death"
Job 19:25-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
a. Choosing Christ means hope and assurance and a better perspective on life instead of fear of death and dying.
4. "Behold, I Tell You a Mystery", "The Trumpet Shall Sound", "Then Shall Be Brought to Pass" (Recitative), "O Death, Where is Thy Sting?", and "But Thanks Be to God"
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
a. Encouragement
b. Hope
c. Conviction
5. "Worthy is the Lamb"
Revelations 5:9-14
a. What we should strive for in our worship- this level of adoration and praise.
Handel's Messiah, Instrumental
Handel's Messiah, Singing
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