Each year, during the festivities, I like to take in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. This year was no exception, made even more special under candlelight in the magnificent venue of Llandaff Cathedral.
The Messiah was composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, whom Ludwig van Beethoven declared as 'the greatest composer that ever lived.' I adore Handel's epic oratorio, but my love for this annual event is entirely theological. Each year I am presented with a taste of Heaven, an image of the new humanity whom God gave His Son to redeem.
Engaged body and soul
On stage, we have a community of men and women from all different backgrounds who are utterly equal in value, united in purpose and devoted to collectively communicating the beauty of the piece. They invite the audience to share in their passion, which requires a lifetime of dedication and service to perform.
The musicians present a controlled expression of genius, submitting to the leadership of the conductor. They manipulate vibration through delicate tools of the earth, made of string, wood and brass, to create heavenly sounds that are complimented by the skilled flesh of highly trained vocal cords. All to be enjoyed by rational participants that are deeply engaged both emotively and physically - body and soul. An experience made all the more great by the subject of the performance. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Messiah.
It is in this moment, each year, that I see the best of humanity and thus wonder all the more in our creator.
The choir sings: 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power to be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen.'
The apex of worship
For me, Handel’s Messiah expresses the pinnacle of what humanity can achieve. The performance requires ultimate order in the chaos of life, the silence, patience, the death of carnality, unity and sacrifice, all in the praise of the highest being to whom the composition is entitled. Handel’s Messiah is the apex of worship.
There is a legend that at the time of the premiere of Handel’s Messiah (13th April 1742), King George II (arguably the most powerful man on earth at the time) was so moved by the performance that he stood up during the Hallelujah chorus to honour Mighty God. Everyone else in the theatre followed so as not to offend Him, a tradition that is still upheld today.
I pray that this article will encourage you to support your local production of this masterpiece this Christmas and stand with King George II in honour of the King of Kings.
Is Artificial Intelligence a 'resounding gong'?
Some of my most precious times as a father are when I get to share cultural moments that shaped me, …