News, observances, history – Page 73 – watercress words by Dr Aletha

updated August 23, 2023

Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
Isaiah 40:4-5, NIV

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted this scripture passage from Isaiah chapter 40 in his famous speech at the “March on Washington” on August 28, 1963.

(Interestingly, this passage was also used as the lyrics for one of the songs in Handel’s Messiah.)

“I have a dream.”

“even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. “
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On the third Monday of January every year, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official federal holiday.

Listen to and read the full text of “I Have A Dream”.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is remembered, read, and recited by people all over the country on the anniversary of his birth each year.

graphic by LIGHTSTOCK.COM , an affiliate site for media

Books by and about Dr. King

The following book suggestions lead to affiliate links which may pay a commission to this blog at no extra cost to you.

I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World)

I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World, Special 75th Anniversary Edition (Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929)

Exploring the HEART of human rights

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Dr. Aletha

Here I am at the Lincoln Memorial looking toward the Washington Memorial on a trip to Washington DC in 2022.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying,

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,

King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”

Revelation 19, King James Version

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it. — Carl Frederick Buechner was an American writer and theologian. He died in 2022 at 96 years old.(affiliate link) graphic credit Lightstock.com (affiliate link)

Messiah’s Hallelujah Chorus

Often referred to as the Hallelujah Chorus, this passage is the most recognized part of Handel’s Messiah. We associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

If you have ever attended a live performance of Messiah, you probably stood up during the Hallelujah Chorus. That tradition dates back to King George II of England who according to tradition, was so moved during this song that he stood to his feet. Since he was the king, everyone had to stand with him.

The Pure Power Of Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’

The “Hallelujah Chorus,” from George Frideric Handel‘s Messiah, is such an iconic piece of music that it’s easy to take its exuberance and its greatness for granted.

Composer-conductor Rob Kapilow joins Performance Today host Fred Child to examine the structure of Handel’s popular little chorus and discover why the music has such a powerful grip on singers and listeners.

Sharing the HEART of Christmas

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Shouting good news at Christmas

We usually associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

Keep reading

Handel’s Messiah-Announcing good news

An angel announced the birth of the Savior in Luke 2, bringing joy and a sign of hope. The text from Isaiah 9:6, referenced in Handel’s Messiah, highlights the significance of this birth, which inspired Handel’s composition in 1741. The piece, however, was originally intended for Easter, not Christmas.

Keep reading