Last Saturday the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performed Handel’s Messiah. I have heard the Messiah many times in at least seven different cities, but this may have been the most memorable and moving time. It was a perfect way to start the Christmas season. The entire concert was great, but let me tell you about my two favorite parts.

The first was entitled “And the Glory of the Lord,” which was sung by the chorus. The text comes from Isaiah 40:5 and says, “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.” It was sung with gusto and great energy; all of us couldn’t help but be enthused about the coming of our Lord. The entire chorus sang with enthusiasm and joy, and I don’t know how they were able to sing with such wide smiles on their faces. At the end, the awed audience was completely silent, but then a little girl, who looked to be three or four years old, loudly enough to heard by all, said, “Wow!” She spoke for us all.

The “Hallelujah Chorus” was stirring as always. At its end the conductor stepped to the microphone and said, “That is not the end of the story. The Messiah is not just about Christmas, for He died and arose again.” They then started one of my favorite choruses, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” which was sung by the soprano soloist. The text is taken from Job 19:25-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:20 and says, “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. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.” It has a beautiful melody that stays with you, and it is a melody that brings the words along with it. In fact, it is an earworm, but what a beautiful earworm.

As I drove home after the concert, I found myself thinking of it as a gift, a Christmas gift. Moreover, it was a gift that told of the ultimate Christmas gift. It is not just about the baby in a manger, but of the crucifixion and resurrection that allows each of us to sing, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Is there a better way to remember that God loves YOU and me unconditionally?

Jim