Christian tradition believes that St. Luke, the writer of this gospel, was a physician. Perhaps that’s why this Bible book speaks so much about Christ’s compassion and concern for the sick, the poor, widows, orphans, the abused and oppressed. He tells the stories of the lost (prodigal) son and the good Samaritan.
Luke chapter 1
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
Christian tradition believes that St. Luke, the writer of this gospel, was a physician. Perhaps that’s why this Bible book speaks so much about Christ’s compassion and concern for the sick, the poor, widows, orphans, the abused, and the oppressed. He tells the stories of the lost (prodigal) son and the good Samaritan.
sharing the HEART of Christmas
Dr. Aletha
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Advent, meaning “coming,” starts four Sundays before Christmas, marking the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. Christmas celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth, observed through church services and music. Handel’s Messiah, created in 1742 from biblical texts, highlights these traditions, though it wasn’t originally composed for Christmas festivities.
The season of Advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit”, begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. (Liturgical, from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship.)
What is Christmas?
Christmas is both a secular and religious holiday. For those who observe its spiritual significance, Christmas is celebrated as the day the infant Jesus Christ was born (although Biblical scholars doubt that December 25 is exactly the correct day.)
Christians celebrate the season with a rich tradition of church services which feature Bible readings about Jesus’ birth and special music. Almost 300 years ago, a musician combined these traditions to create a familiar and often performed musical.
quote from Isaiah 9:6; graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate link
Handel’s Messiah
George Frideric Handel used this scripture from Isaiah in his famous work, Messiah, first performed in 1742. Millions of people have heard or sung it since then.
The lyrics of Messiah are derived from both Old and New Testament scriptures that describe the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Handel’s father, Georg Handel, was a barber-surgeon. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe, who as the name suggests, cut hair and performed surgery.
Much of the work of barbersurgeons involved treating war injuries. Elective surgery was rarely done due to the lack of effective anesthesia. There were no antibiotics so the risk of infection was high. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.
The association between barbers and surgeons goes back to the early Middle Ages when the practice of surgery and medicine was carried out by the clergy.
But in 1215, a papal decree ruled that priests could no longer partake in any shedding of blood. Because barbers were accustomed to using a razor, it was presumed that they would be skillful in carrying out any treatment that involved cutting the skin, and so the practice was taught to them.
Did you know Handel’s “Messiah,” usually linked to Christmas, was originally intended for Easter, drawing from Old and New Testament scriptures. Tdditionally, Handel’s father was a barber-surgeon, medieval surgeons also cut hair.
You can listen to Messiah with Amazon Prime Music Unlimited; sign up at this affiliate link, which also helps support this blog. Single downloads and CD version also available.
Sharing the HEART of Advent
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