Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Happy Christmas season to everyone joining today’s study, especially for the first time.
I wonder, since Christmas is a federal holiday — and if the secularization of our culture continues — decades from now, will “Merry Federal Holiday” be the official season’s greeting? Let’s pray not! With that in mind, here is some Christmas trivia to impress your friends.
In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill creating four new holidays for federal workers: January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25th. Regarding the latter, to address criticism in a nation that “separated” church and state, the official federal holiday’s name was “December 25” and not “Christmas.” Read more here.
Now, let’s get biblical and discuss “Messiah” — the Grammy award-winning musical extravaganza composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741. Of course, Handel did not personally receive a Grammy since he died 233 years before 1992, when “Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” — a gospel album by various artists — won the music industry’s highest award.
Handel wrote his oratorio between August and September 1741 with Charles Jennens, who helped author the libretto (lyrics), assembling Bible verses to tell the story of Jesus, “The Messiah.” It begins with the nativity and the Old Testament’s Messianic prophecies about His birth. Then, it progresses to the crucifixion of Jesus, the redemption of humanity through His suffering and death, while grandly celebrating His glorious resurrection because “He will reign forever and ever!” The “Messiah” is a “Bible study” engulfing your ears, heart, and soul.
I am Handel’s biggest fan, and last Christmas, I wrote Vol. 194: Handel’s Messiah and the Bible. This year, we dive deeper into the verses with two personal notes.
First, I love “Messiah” because I firmly believe that Jesus is The Messiah. Meanwhile, having been born and raised Jewish due to my “traitor” status, I will never receive an earthly pardon. But I don’t need a pardon because “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," says Jesus, who is The Truth.
Second, for decades, the “Hallelujah Chorus” has been my cellphone ringtone. Sudden outbursts are always comical, embarrassing, or divinely timed. But enough about me! Let’s explore Handel’s brilliance, leaving his fans awestruck, no matter how often one hears this masterpiece.
“Messiah” comprises three acts and 16 scenes totaling 81 Bible verses from 14 books, evenly split between the Old and New Testaments. Lyrics are from the King James Bible, and the book of Isaiah is quoted most frequently.
Since there is not enough space for all 81 Bible verses, I have selected some highlights. If so inspired, click here to read them all.
Act 1 Highlights:
“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God…. 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” (Isaiah 40: 1–3).
“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: 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” (Malachi 3:1).
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying” (Luke 2:13). “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14).
“Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is the righteous Saviour, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen” (Zechariah 9: 9–10).
Act II Highlights:
“Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
“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” (Isaiah 53:4–5).
“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 24:7–10).
“Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6). “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”(Revelation 11:15). “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). “Hallelujah!”
“Messiah” trivia: In 1743, during the first performance, England’s King George II was so overwhelmed by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that he instinctively stood up, which began the tradition of audiences standing for Myra’s ringtone. (Smiley face.)
Act 3 Highlights:
“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).
“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” (I Corinthians 15: 51–52).
“The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (I Corinthians 15: 52–53). “The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (repeat).
“Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54).
“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” (I Corinthians 15: 55–56).
“But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). “Who shall lay anything 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 honor, glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12–14). “Amen!”
We conclude with a joyous rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from the previously mentioned 1992 Grammy award-winning album “Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” I imagine Handel rocking and rolling in his grave. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. In July, The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com