Mrs. Gorrell's Primary School class led a beautiful devotional before we parted ways for Christmas break. Each student took a turn telling part of the story of Handel's "Messiah:"
The Messiah
Excerpts from Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
By Patrick Kavannaugh
In a small London house, a servant sights as he arranges a tray full of food he assumes will not be eaten. For more than a week, he has faithfully continued to wait on his employer, an eccentric composer, who spends hour after hour isolated in his own room.
Morning, noon, and evening the servant delivers meals to the composer and returns later to find the bowls and platters largely untouched.
Once again, he expects the same, muttering under his breath about how oddly temperamental musicians can be. As he swings open the door to the composer’s room the servant stops in his tracks.
The startled composer, tears streaming down his face, turns to his servant and cries out, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” George Frederic Handel had just finished writing a movement that would take its place in history as the Hallelujah Chorus.
When he was twelve, young Handel had written his first composition and was so proficient at the organ that he substituted on occasion for his own teacher. He loved to play postlude music after church, but was asked to stop because the people loved listening so much they would not go home.
Handel was resilient and he kept his sense of humor when things were hard. Once, when he was to perform there was hardly any audience. “Never mind,” he joked with his friends, “ the music will sound better in an empty concert hall.”
His work did not always bring in enough money to pay his expenses and in 1741 it seemed he would land in debtor’s prison. This time he felt very discouraged. His friend gave him a libretto based on the life of Christ taken entirely from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible.
He became so absorbed in putting music to the words that he rarely left his room and hardly stopped to eat. He called it Messiah. Messiah was performed as a charitable benefit and raised enough money to free 142 men from debtor’s prison.
When it was staged in London, the king of England rose to his feet as the Hallelujah Chorus was sung! Following their king, the entire audience stood, too, starting a tradition that has lasted for more than two centuries.
So much money was made from performances of Messiah that one biographer wrote, “Messiah has fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and fostered the orphan more than any other single musical production in this or any country.”
Another writer stated that Messiah’s music and message “has probably done more to convince thousands of mankind that there is a God about us than all the theological works ever written.”
How often he might have felt like giving up! It is a tribute to his faith, relying on God as he worked to overcome obstacles and to create music that is universally cherished today.
After their historical thought, Mrs. Conley's middle school class recited the poem "Jest 'Fore Christmas" which left the audience laughing.
Before ending the devotional, we were blessed to hear from both of our bell choirs. Their beautiful sounds really brought the Christmas spirit.
It was a fun and festive devotional and a wonderful way to wrap up the fall semester!
This historical thought was delivered by our primary school students at devotional on 12/19/2024. Each week one class leads the student body in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, scripture recitation, a meditation, and an historical thought. Family and friends are welcome, Thursdays 8:30-9:05 am.
Belmont is an independent K-12 school in the classical, Christian tradition. In partnership with parents, we invest in students — helping them acquire an education of the highest quality, find joy in life, and become influences for good in the world. If you are interested in receiving updates about Belmont, please subscribe to Exulto here by inserting your email.
Comentários