In 1742, George Frideric Handel composed what is arguably the greatest oratorio ever written. Apparently, he composed his Messiah in 24 days without getting much sleep or even eating much food. When his assistants brought him his meals, they were often left uneaten. His servants would often find him in tears as he composed. When he completed “Hallelujah,†he reportedly told his servant, “I think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.â€
What Handel did is nothing less than a musical miracle. According to musical scholar Richard Luckett it is a commentary on Jesus Christ’s Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension.
The Messiah is a celebration of the Christmas Mystery which includes rapturous amazement and musical and spiritual harmony which, according to Albert Einstein, “reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all systematic thinking and acting of human beings is utterly insignificant reflection.
The lyrics were based on references to The Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah (circa 739 BC).
Isaiah 7:14 KJV “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.â€
Isaiah: 9:6. KJV “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.†Isaiah: 9:6 KJV
The lyrics in the Hallelujah Chorus are derived from three passages of the New Testament of the Bible, Revelation (circa 81-96 AD). Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:16, and Revelation 11:15. Revelation 19:6 reads, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omipotent reigneth.†Similarly, Revelation 11:15 states, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.†Lastly, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords,†is from Revelation 19:16.
Nearly 300 years after Messiah was composed, it remains the most popular oratorio in the world with hundreds of millions of listeners and participants each year. It is performed in symphony halls, opera houses, churches, cathedrals, high school—college—university auditoria around the world.
Handel belongs to the pantheon of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists, musicians, poets, scientists and naturalists who, like Michelangelo’s painting of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, have reached up to touch the Hand of God.
The fruits of their gifts and talents have moved and shaped humanity on Earth.