Luke – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Believing good news

How Charles Jennens helped George Handel

Luke 2, NIV

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

figures in a nativity scene with a bright start in the sky

The origins of Handel’s Messiah

We usually associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel composed it to be performed at Easter.

The London Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah

“Handel got the lyrics from a preacher named Charles Jennens, who wrote out the whole piece as a collage of Bible verses designed to tell a story about the Messiah.

In some cases Jennens copied verses from the King James Version of the Bible directly, and in other cases he abridged or modified the wording of the Bible verses somewhat to fit into something that could be set to music and sung.

He also decided to change the “point of view” in a couple of places. Rather than quoting Jesus’ words about himself directly, for instance, he made a few changes so that the singers are singing about Jesus rather than portraying the role of Jesus.”

quoted from wheatwilliams.com

These Bible verses, attributed to the physician Luke are sung in Part 1 of Messiah.

A Simple Christmas book cover — A Simple Christmas-A Faith Filled Guide to a Meaningful and Stress-Free Christmas

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Handel’s Messiah -Listen on Apple Music

Bringing good news

We usually associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel intended it to be performed at Easter.

Luke chapter 2, New Living Translation

The 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.

shepherds raising arms to the sky — Shepherds drawing by Bill Hart

“Don’t be afraid!” he said.

“I bring you good news that will bring

great joy to all people.”

The artist- Bill Hart

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.

The composer- George Handel

These verses from the Bible book Luke are sung in Handel’s musical Messiah musical. We usually associate Messiah with Christmas, but Handel intended it to be performed at Easter.

“Handel got the lyrics from a preacher named Charles Jennens, who wrote out the whole piece as a collage of Bible verses designed to tell a story about the Messiah.”

quoted from wheatwilliams.com