The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
Singing “Messiah”
Tonight Dan and I have the rare opportunity of singing part of Handel’s oratorio entitled “The Messiah” with the accompaniment of the Susanville Symphony. The libretto is a compilation of Bible verses establishing the need for a Messiah, the coming of the Messiah, the Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection, and the prophetic look at His future return. The part we are performing is the first part plus the traditional addition of the “Hallelujah Chorus”. We will also sing the final chorus, “Worthy Is the Lamb”, which includes an extensive “Amen Chorus”.
The last time the piece was performed in Susanville was in December, 2009. Up until that time it had been faithfully performed annually by the Susanville Choral Society since 1970. This year will mark Dan’s thirty-second performance as the bass soloist.
Here then is biblical prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s birth according to George Frideric Handel:
Isaiah 40:1- 6 – “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. …The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
Haggai 2:6-7 – “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Yet once, a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations…,” saith the LORD of hosts.”
Malachi 3:1-3 – “…the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire… and he shall purify the sons of Levi, …that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”
Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel…God with us.”
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, 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.”
Isaiah 60:2-3 – “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
Isaiah 9:2 – “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:8-11, 13-14 – “There were…shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Zechariah 9:9-10 – “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.”
Isaiah 35:5-6 – “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.”
Isaiah 40:11 – “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Revelation 19:6b, 11:15b, 19:16b – “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth…The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever…KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 5:12-13 – “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. …Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Amen!
