The HEART of Easter

In this post I focus on the legacy of George Frideric Handel, who, unlike his barber-surgeon father, pursued music and composed the Easter oratorio “Messiah.” You may not hear Messiah at Easter services, but its message is just as applicable as it is to Christmas.

The word EASTER written in vintage letterpress type

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

Job 19:25

He is Risen-praise, honor, glory, power, king of kings-Hallelujah
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 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “

1 Corinthians 15:56-57

 

“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

Not “Like Father, Like Son” 

I know families with multiple physicians, including parents, siblings, or children. My grandfather was a dentist, but he died before I was born. My sons had no interest in medicine and instead chose technology careers.

Georg Handel was a barber-surgeon in northern Germany in the 17th century. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe who only performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

His son George did not follow his father into medicine. Instead, George Frideric Handel  followed his HEART and studied music and eventually composed his masterpiece , Messiah, first performed in 1742, and presented countless times since then.

Modern choirs perform Messiah at Christmas, but Handel wrote it for Easter. The lyrics of the songs in Messiah explore the HEART of the  Bible with passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

The London Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah

Find Handel’s Messiah on iTunes.

The HEART of Easter-watercresswords.com

The Lyrics of Messiah

The scripture references in this post are used as lyrics in songs from Messiah, including the song that brings the audience to its feet, Hallelujah.

The text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in the New Testament.

  • Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
  • Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”
  • Revelation 11:15 reads, “And he shall reign for ever and ever.”

The kingdom of this world;

is become the kingdom of our Lord,

and of His Christ

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and Lord of lords

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah

Sharing the HEART of Easter

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

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