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.

The HEART of Easter

Modern choirs perform Messiah at Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at 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.

“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
graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, an affiliate link

 “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.”

Dr. Handel and his 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 to be performed at 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 scripture references in this post are used as lyrics in songs from Messiah, including the song that brings the audience to its feet, Hallelujah.

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

Dr Aletha

What the CDC recommends for COVID-19 vaccination

Fully vaccinated people can visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.

update April 21, 2025

Please refer to the following link for the most current information from the CDC

COVID-19 Vaccine Basics

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

Please do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

I received my first COVID-19 vaccination on January 6, 2021, a date that is easy to remember for the wrong reason.

(On that day, the United States Capitol was attacked by a crowd, attempting to stop the certification of the 202 Presidential election. The Capitol sustained significant damage and the lives of Congress members and the Vice President were threatened.)

Since then I have received all recommended boosters. And I have never had COVID-19, even when my husband had it. He had been fully vaccinated and had a mild case.

Dr. Aletha inspecting her arm after a COVID-19 shot

Information and misinformation

There has been much of both in the past year, some deliberate, some well intentioned, some valuable, some just plain wrong. Whenever possible, get your information directly from the source, not “a friend of a friend’s second cousin”. Here are some tips for finding reliable information

7 Resources for Responsible Social Media Sharing

The post emphasizes the importance of responsible social media usage by highlighting various resources and strategies to combat misinformation. It discusses how emotional responses can be manipulated by disinformation and urges readers to critically evaluate content before sharing. We all have a responsibility to research claims and ensure truthfulness online.

Exploring the HEART of health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha