Day 18: Handel's Messiah

Day 18 of Advent

Handel's Messiah

Growing up, on any given evening around Christmas, you could find our dad enjoying a VHS rendition of Handels Messiah. The trumpet player with a crazy 80’s hairdo blasting out ‘Every Valley Shall be Exalted,’ the wonderful ‘Born unto us a Child is born,’ and the ever glorious “Hallelujah Chorus,” will forever be etched into our memories. These days we have discovered that when we leave our parents' house on Christmas Eve, Handles Messiah is always playing on our local radio station. It has become a tradition to drive home listening to beautiful music just before or last sleep before Christmas.

-Brigette

Listen to Handel's Messiah on YouTube!

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Scripture Reading for the Day

Luke 1:57-66

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.” 61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Activity for Today

Sing Hallelujah!

Look up the beautiful score of Handle’s Messiah and listen to it in the background as you go about your day. Make sure to stand when the Hallelujah Chorus plays as is tradition!

Interesting Facts about Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall

Find your local BBN Station or Listen Online

Pineapple with Hints of Coconut and Subtle Blueberry, a Sweet, Triumphant Melody of Fruit.

Let's spill the tea about Sweet Dixie...

Eloquent Description

Summer needs a breeze. With a tropical flourish of pineapple and coconut, this chamomile with local apples, blueberries, and peaches provides more than enough relief from the torrid world of heat.

Ingredients

Hibiscus
Rosehips
Apples
Coconut Flakes
Blueberries
Peaches
Pineapple
Organic Flavor
Chamomile
Spearmint

Steeping Suggestions

For hot tea, steep one tea bag in 8 to 10oz of 212 water for 7 minutes. For iced, use half the water(same temp), steep for the same time, and add ice after you pull the tea bag out.

Someone Else's Thoughts

Five Stars
This is my favorite summer time tea! I was introduced to this when I was in AL for a reunion 2 years ago. I ordered Sweet Dixie for the first time last year and LOVED the blend of all the fruit...especially the peach. I'm very happy that I can get it mailed to me. Thank you for your great tea flavors! -Mary

All about Handel's Messiah

Fun Fact!
Most years on our way home from our family's Christmas Eve birthday party for Jesus, complete with tacos and all our favorite Christmas songs, it always works out perfectly for our whole family to listen to an incredible performance by the Toronto Symphony and Chorus on the BBN radio station. This year, it will be playing on Christmas Day at 8pm CST. Find a station near you if you want to tune in!
Listen to Handel's Messiah on YouTube!
Listen to Handel's Messiah on YouTube!
Handel's Messiah
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become
The kingdom of our Lord
And of His Christ
And of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever
And He shall reign for ever and ever
And He shall reign for ever and ever
And He shall reign for ever and ever

King of kings
For ever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!
And Lord of lords
For ever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!
King of kings
For ever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!

And Lord of lords
For ever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!
King of kings
For ever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah!
And Lord of lords
King of kings and Lord of lords

And He shall reign
And He shall reign
And He shall reign
He shall reign
And He shall reign for ever and ever

King of kings (For ever and ever)
And Lord of lords (Hallelujah, hallelujah)
And He shall reign for ever and ever

King of kings and Lord of lords
King of kings and Lord of lords

And He shall reign for ever and ever
For ever and ever (King of kings)
And ever and ever (and Lord of lords)

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
About the Author
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a celebrated German-British Baroque composer known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and lively concertos. He began his musical journey in Halle, worked in Hamburg and Italy, and settled in London in 1712.
Handel's music, a blend of German and Italian styles, includes the famous Messiah and beloved pieces like Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. His anthem Zadok the Priest has been featured at every British coronation since 1727. Despite challenges, including near-blindness, Handel remains a musical genius who inspired many, including Mozart and Beethoven.