For many music lovers, Christmas would not be complete without attending a performance of the 'Messiah'. The composing of this masterpiece could be called a miracle.

The aging composer wandered the lonely streets of London, bowed down in hopeless despair. Only memories of his past glory, when he was touted by the high society of London and Europe, were left to him and it now seemed his musical genius was gone forever. George Frederick Handel, once the favorite of kings and queens, had been forced into bankruptcy and had become a pauper.

One bitterly cold morning during the winter of 1741, Handel returned to his room to find a thick package on the table. It contained a text made up of scripture verses from the librettist, Charles Jennens. Dazed by cold and hunger, Handel leafed through the pages.

Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Behold! A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us . . . The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. . . For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God. . . Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped . . . He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom. . .

Excitedly he read on, "He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . He looked for someone to have pity on Him, but there was no man; neither found He any to comfort Him. . . But thou didst not leave His soul in hell . . " He hurriedly read on "I shall know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth . . . King of kings, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah!"

The words burned into his heart and struck a responsive chord within him. He rushed to the piano with pencil in hand and began to write the music to the immortal Messiah. For two weeks he worked incessantly. He saw no one and refused food and sleep.

At last he was finished, and invited a friend to hear it. Tears streaming down his face, he declared after hearing the 'Hallelujah Chorus', "I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God himself."

The composition was first heard in Dublin where it was an overwhelming triumph. Several weeks later it was a tumultuous success in London. During this performance the king, greatly moved by the glory of the 'Hallelujah Chorus', rose to his feet and the audience followed his example. Today audiences all over the world still rise and remain standing during this Chorus.

In succeeding years, George Frederick Handel became blind, ill and poor, but never again did he permit his misfortunes to overcome his spirit.

One evening, at the age of seventy-four, Handel collapsed during a performance of the 'Messiah'. He joined the heavenly choir on April 13, 1759.

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Christmas Time Together at imagitek.com