Tag: Luke 2

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.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

 But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2, NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

"For unto us a son is given"
graphic from Lightstock.com, an affiliate link 

This Bible verse, Isaish 9:6 is used in Handel’s Messiah.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

The Origins of Handel’s Messiah

(from Smithsonian Magazine)

Handel composed Messiah in an astounding interlude, somewhere between three and four weeks in August and September 1741.

“He would literally write from morning to night,” says Sarah Bardwell of the Handel House Museum in London.

The text was prepared in July by the prominent librettist, Charles Jennens, and was intended for an Easter performance the following year.

“I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject,” Jennens wrote to a friend.

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Messiah isn’t just about Christ’s birth and wasn’t written for Christmas. Learn more in this post.

Exploring Advent-Angels and Shepherds

Luke chapter 2 describes the biblical account of shepherds in Bethlehem who encounter an angel announcing the birth of the Savior. The angel’s message brings joy, encouraging the shepherds to visit the newborn Messiah. The Advent season leads to Christmas in the Christian liturgical calendar.

 

Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke chapter 2, New Living Translation 

 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188. All rights reserved.
shepherds raising arms to the sky
Shepherds drawing by Bill Hart

Bill Hart-WWII veteran and artist

The late Bill Hart was a professional artist. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was part of the force which invaded and liberated  France in 1944. You can read Bill’s story at this link. 

Advent- four weeks before Christmas

The season of Advent, which comes 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.]

Many families observe Advent with Bible readings, lighting candles, songs, and stories to remind them of the events leading up to the birth of Christ as told in the New Testament. (these are affiliate links for you to consider and help support this blog with a commission on any purchases you make while reviewing)

Tidings of Joy Fabric Advent Calendar (Countdown to Christmas)

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an evergreen wreath with holly

Dr Aletha

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