Handel and His Masterpiece

While we often associate Handel’s Messiah with Christmas, it was originally written for Passion Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. During Passion Week, plays were not allowed in Handel’s time, so most theaters were dark. Instead, people turned to Handel’s oratorios for entertainment. Handel had a larger-than-usual audience, so it was perfect for performing Messiah and reaching a number of people. Because it is derived from verses all over Scripture (more from the Old Testament than the New Testament), it is about more than just Christ’s advent or resurrection and has application year-round.

At Answers in Genesis, we teach the Seven C’s of history: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation. Handel’s Messiah was broken into three parts that focused primarily on three C’s: Christ, Cross, and Consummation. While Handel and Jennens didn’t necessarily have those exact three C’s in mind, you can see them to a great degree from the near-verbatim verse selections from the King James Version in each part of the oratorio:

Part 1 (Christ—Prophecy)

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry mountain and hill made low: the crooked straight and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:1–5)

Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts: Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come. (Haggai 2:6–7)

The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire. And he shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:1–3)

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! (Isaiah 40:9)

Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1–3)

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

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)

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8–11)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13–14)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is the righteous Saviour, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen. (Zechariah 9:9–10)

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. (Isaiah 35:5–6)

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

Come unto him, all ye that labour, come unto him, that are heavy laden, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

Part 2 (Christ’s Incarnation and Death)

Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3)

He gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: he hid not his face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6)

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4–6)

All they that see him laugh him to scorn: they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying, He trusted in God that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, if he delight in him. (Psalm 22:7–8)

Thy rebuke hath broken his heart; he is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on him, but there was no man, neither found he any to comfort him. (Psalm 69:20)

Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow. (Lamentations 1:12)

He was cut off out the land of the living: for the transgressions of thy people was he stricken. (Isaiah 53:8)

But thou didst not leave his soul in hell; nor didst thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10)

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:7–8)

Unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:5–6)

Thou art gone up on high; thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men: yea, even for thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. (Psalm 68:18)

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers. (Psalm 68:11)

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15)

Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:18)

Why do the nations so furiously rage together: and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed. Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: the Lord shall have them in derision. (Psalm 2:1–4)

Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. (Psalm 2:9)

Hallelujah Chorus (Revelation 19:6, 11:15, 19:16)

Part 3 (Christ’s Finished Work and Consummation)

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (Job 19:25–26)

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (Job 19:25–26)

For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20–22)

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51–57)

If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:33–34)

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:12–13)

In an Answers in Genesis staff meeting in December of 2019, Anatomist Dr. David Menton shared his thoughts on this inspirational work and, in particular, the more Christmas-associated elements of the Messiah’s roughly three-hour performance. It’s a bit early for Christmas, but we think you’ll appreciate Dr. Menton’s passion about this wonderful work.

Sadly, Answers in Genesis lost Dr. Menton two years after the recording of this staff meeting. Perhaps he has already sung this in the presence of his Savior, and we look forward to joining him someday.

References

Dicke, Martin P. “A Guide to the Original Source Texts for Handel’s Messiah.” JubalsLyre.com. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://jubalslyre.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Text-Study-of-Handels-Messiah.pdf.

Foundling Museum. “Handel The Philanthropist.” Accessed September 12, 2022. https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/event/handel-the-philanthropist/.

Haven Today. “Everything You Need to Know About Handel’s Messiah.” December 9, 2020. https://haventoday.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-handels-messiah.

Morris, Charles. “Handel's Messiah: Lyrics and Verse References.” Haven Today. November 20, 2020. https://haventoday.org/blog/handels-messiah-lyrics-verse-references/.

The History Place. “This Month in History: September.” Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.historyplace.com/specials/calendar/september.htm#10.

The Morgan Library & Museum. “Messiah.” Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.themorgan.org/music/manuscript/115317.

Vickers, David. “Messiah: A Sacred Oratorio.” GFHandel.org. Updated July 10, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120908030611/http://gfhandel.org/messiah.html.