Christmastime Entertainment

Last Sunday night we took a church fieldtrip to Handel's Messiah. The Allison Family goes every year, and this year we and some of the McDonald's joined them. We made quite the processional going in. There where almost 20 of us, and Mr. Allison marched us all right down to the front row.

It was captivating. Even two year old Peter was captivated. The soprano was beautiful. She sang like she meant it, and she simply glowed.

You know, the Messiah is different live. I have heard it numerous times on CD, but it grates on one after a while. A conglomeration of operatic voices, none of which you can understand. Not altogether charming. But live...

Ahh, what can one say? Music is always better live, and this way you could actually understand what they said, and the lyrics are so profound. I have included some of my favorites:

O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou, that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. Zechariah 9:9-10

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

Come unto Him, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him; for He is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

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

For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

ChorusSince by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

RecitativeBehold, 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. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:52-53


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 honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:12-14


The Halleluah chores and the last few songs where moving enough to give me chills up and down my spine.

It is an experience that I hope to repeat, and that is highly recommended.

My other entertainment this week was going to see the new Pride and prejudice in theaters. I have to admit, I went with a very prejudiced outlook. (no pun intended) I was impressed. It was short, so a lot necessarily had to be left out, but overall they did a good job. It was ever suggested that this Mr. Darcy was better than Colan Firth. I don't know if I would say that, but he did do a wonderful job.

The feel was much more informal that the old one, and the costumes where a bit earlier. The only thing I absolutely disliked was their Mr. Bingly. He was a complete idiot.

I think the next outing will be Narnia, which will probably be it for the outings for a while.

Well, everyone have a happy Sunday!

Merisha