It all began in the summer when we were walking the Camino in Spain.

No it began 35 years ago or so!

It really began 283 years - when a composer by the name of George Frideric Handel composed one of the most famous oratorios of all time.

Handel composed Messiah, an English language oratorio that traces the story of Jesus Christ, in 1741. Messiah was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. The Messiah has gained in popularity throughout these last few hundred years and has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music. The ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music and the most widely known section of the work. Though it was originally written for Easter, Handel’s eminently singable Messiah has also become a mainstay of the festive season.

Handel deliberately kept the dramatic content of his Messiah understated – it was in church after all. He created a piece based on three concepts: the story of the nativity and its prophecy; that of the crucifixion and redemption of mankind; and a commentary on the Christian soul and its victory over death. In each of these three parts, the chorus is absolutely at the heart of the work, complemented by four vocal soloists and an orchestra.

Those forces deliver some of Handel’s most heart-stopping music – dramatic and effective, profoundly touching and spiritual.

Handel composed Messiah in just 24 days without getting much sleep and or eating much food. While writing the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus Handel’s servant discovered him with tears in his eyes, and he exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”

My love affair with Handel’s Messiah began in my late 20’s. We had just moved to Listowel to begin our pastorate there and I was looking for ways to be involved in our community - meet new friends etc. I joined the Listowel Community Singers and I sang with the choir for ten years. We performed parts of the Messiah every year - sometimes at Christmas and sometimes at Easter. Someone once said to me that they had attended one of the performances and watched me sing. They said they could tell I was enjoying myself. I replied to them that I did enjoy singing such a fantastic piece of music but mostly because I believe the words.

It wasn’t until I moved to Kincardine 8 years ago that I had the opportunity to sing the Messiah again. This year would have been my eighth time - only - in early fall of this year, those in charge of the presentation were not able to make the commitment this year. I was so disappointed - for so many reasons.

Last December, just before we performed the Messiah here in Kincardine, I received a text from Zac. He was in Toronto, with a friend, sitting in Roy Thompson Hall, getting ready for curtains up. His friend had invited him to the performance featuring the Toronto Symphonyt Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Not only were they in the audience, they had been upgraded into box seats. I was so excited for Zac. What an evening. I couldn’t even imagine how wonderful that would be.

Fast forward to this summer when Zac, Pete and I walked the Camino. We talked about that night in Toronto and also about the many times I had sung it. Then Zac said something to me that brought tears to my eyes……he told me that in all the years I had been singing it, he hadn’t come to hear me since living at home. This year - he said - “I’m coming to Kincardine to hear your performance in the Messiah!”

How excruciatingly disappointing to tell him it wasn’t happening this year.

How amazingly ecstatic when he called to tell me he got tickets to take me to Toronto to hear the Messiah at Roy Thompson Hall.

A date with my son.

Do you know why the audience stands up when the choir bursts into the Hallelujah chorus? It’s because the King of England did when he heard it performed the first time. How could anyone possible sit?

The last chorus of the oratorio is called WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN. 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. (The piece begins slowly - powerfully - full of rich phrasing and expectation.) Blessing and honour, glory and pow’r be unto Him, be unto Him - that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb. (The piece continues to build - each part taking turns with the lead - until it hits almost a fever pitch.) Forever, forever, and ever and ever! (And then comes the Amens!) The basses begin, then the tenors, the altos and finally the sopranos - the Amens rising and falling to the dramatic conclusion to his magnificent work. I’m always breathless at the end. Not so much that I’m tired of singing - I’m exhilarated at the wonder and praise and awe of singing these praises to our Lord.

Singing or listening to the Messiah is really a little piece of our future - a glimpse of Heaven - a preparation for what’s to come.

If you have the opportunity to go to a local presentation this year - run don’t walk.

You won’t be disappointed.