Handel – Page 6 – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Updated June 20, 2025.

I thought “Christmas in July” made a joking reference to the Christmas merchandise appearing in stores during the summer. But according to the folks at Hallmark, who ought to know, it is a holiday in its own right.

On the Hallmark website, they tell us

Christmas in July is your once-a-year chance to celebrate all the things you love about Christmas: the fun, the family, the parties, the cozy fireplaces.

Now, think about all the things you love about summer: the fun, the family, the parties, the cozy firepits.

Replace the inside fires with outside fires and you have Christmas in July, a “Half Christmas” celebration that just makes July jolly.

There is even a rather old movie about Christmas in July available to buy on DVD

And a new Christmas In July movie available to stream on Amazon Prime.

The Christmas Story in July

When I originally wrote this piece, I was listening to the Daily Audio Bible (DAB) Chronologic version and this was the reading for July 13.

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6, ESV

© 2001 – 2018 CROSSWAY

from the English Standard Bible

Although Isaiah is in the Old Testament, many Christians believe this passage refers to the birth of Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas, so it is common to hear this verse quoted in sermons and readings.

Lightstock.com, stock photo site ( affiliate link)

George Frideric Handel and Messiah

The best-known use of this scripture for Christmas is in Handel’s Messiah.

George Frideric Handel used this scripture from Isaiah in his famous work, Messiah, first performed in 1742, performed or heard by millions of people since then. Although it’s usually performed at Christmas, Handel wrote it for Easter.

“Messiah is a fixture of the Christmas season. Woe to the concert hall in the United States or Britain that fails to schedule the piece around the holiday.

For many amateur choirs, the work is the heart of their repertoire and the high point of the year.”

HANDEL'S MESSIAH COMPLETE ALBUM ART — HANDEL’S MESSIAH COMPLETE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (affiliate link)

Handel’s father was a barber-surgeon. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe, who as the name suggests performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

Exploring the HEART of health

Do you plan for Christmas year-round, wait til the week before, or somewhere between? What does Christmas mean to you and your family?

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Please follow the links below to learn more about Daily Audio Bible and George Handel.

Dr.Aletha

Daily Audio Bible: listen, learn, live, love

Introducing you to the Daily Audio Bible this year

Keep reading

Why Handel’s Messiah Is More Than a Christmas Classic

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.

Keep reading

Another way to listen to the Bible

Job chapter 19

“But I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the end he will stand on the dust.

Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God in my flesh.

I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.

My heart longs within me.”

spoken by Job

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

I’ve been listening to the Daily Audio Bible Chronological version

and this passage of scripture was in one of the daily readings recently.

The book-Job

Job, a book in the Old Testament, ponders the meaning of suffering. It is not a book you would associate with Christmas, yet these words are sung in Handel’s famous musical, Messiah.

We usually hear Messiah performed at Christmas, but Handel wrote it for Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages of comfort, peace, hope, and love, telling the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

Handel, the composer

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.

I’m glad his son, George did not follow his father into medicine. Instead George Frideric Handel studied music and eventually composed his masterpiece , Messiah, first performed in 1742, and which millions of people have listened to or sang since then.

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Tag: Handel

Christmas in July: Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas During Summer

Updated June 20, 2025.