Tag: Isaiah 9

Advent-Christmas is Coming

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.)

three people, blurred, holding lit candles
photo from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, affiliate link

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.

"For unto us a son is given" baby lying in a manger
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 MESSIAH, A JOYFUL CELEBRATION

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.

PBS.ORG
Christmas manger display
photo by Dr. Aletha – a Nativity display at church

Read this post to learn more about Handel and Messiah; did you know it wasn’t written for Christmas?

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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Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.

Dr. Aletha

Christmas in July: Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas During Summer

“Christmas in July” is more than just a humorous reference to early holiday merchandise. According to Hallmark, it’s a genuine mid-year Christmas celebration. The event mirrors the festive spirit of Christmas, but with a summery twist. This includes enjoying outdoor fires, family time, and joyous gatherings. The passage from Isaiah 9:6 is often associated with the birth of Christ, and Handel’s Messiah further popularizes this connection.

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?

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

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.

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

Dr.Aletha 

Another way to listen to the Bible