Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7.
“Isaiah writes at a time when things were about as bad as they could get for the kingdom of Judah. Assyria was threatening Judah with the same fate as their take-over of Israel and Samaria. There was no peace. Into the midst of this darkness, Isaiah proclaims God’s light of hope,” according to Dr. Stephen B. Boyd, Professor of Religion at Wake Forest University. And with the current news, these verses give us hope today, too!
When I read these verses, I hear them from the musical creation of Handel’s Messiah. George F. Handel wrote this magnificent 260-page musical oratorio, from August 22, 1741, until September 14, 1741---in only 24 days!
In the oratorio, the song, “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” is written from these verses from the King James Version of Handel’s times. Handel wrote the music in such a way which punctuates each word-description of the promised hope given through God’s gift for all people in Jesus Christ: Wonderful! ... Counselor! ...The Mighty God! ...The Ever-lasting Father! ...The Prince of Peace.
Handel’s music helps us to see God’s gift of salvation, in the birth of God’s own son, who will bring justice and righteousness and all authority will rest upon His shoulders.
The most well-known song of Handel’s Messiah, “The Hallelujah Chorus” makes the resounding declaration from the scriptures! “Hallelujah! And He shall reign for ever and ever, for ever and ever. King of kings! and Lord of lords! King of kings! Hallelujah!”
Personal Worship Option:
This is God’s promise of hope for the world today! Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Lord may your light of hope shine through us in many ways to give your hope to a hurting world. Amen.
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