It’s hard to imagine Christmas without all of the magnificent music.
During Christmastime as a teenager, we would go see Handel’s Messiah at the beautiful tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. I especially enjoyed the sing-along performances where the audience would join in some of the songs.
The “Messiah,” by George Frideric Handel, was originally an Easter performance.
After he completed the “Hallelujah” chorus, he said, “I thought that I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of angels.”
It was first performed in Dublin, April 13, 1742. It quickly became more popular during the Christmas season.
The text is largely taken from the Bible. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”
You might hear the music in your head if you are familiar with it. It continues, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Jesus Christ’s mission is to bring eternal peace to our souls.
Our mortal journey is arduous.
Some have led tremendously challenging lives with too much heartache and sorrow.
Sometimes in the depths of our despair, God is the only one to whom we can turn.
The prophet, King Benjamin, prophesied of the coming of Jesus.
He said, “He shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases” (Mosiah 3:5).
Jesus was born of Mary, in Bethlehem, in humble circumstances.
Here the Son of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, was laid in a manger.
I think there is great symbolism in this imagery.
This was not a king in a palace with servants.
This was a new kind of king.
This was the Savior for all mankind.
Jesus grew up and ministered to the poor, the humble and those rejected by society.
He taught to love God, to love your neighbor and to love your enemies.
He taught to forgive others and that peacemakers would be blessed.
He was wrongly accused and crucified.
Breaking the bands of death, He rose from the dead three days later and brought salvation to humankind.
Those who have lost loved ones can have a bright hope that through Jesus Christ, they are not forever lost.
They will be reunited.
All of us are beggars in the sense that we all must ask the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins.
We all must rely on faith.
Redemption comes through the grace of God and in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Many did not recognize Jesus for who He really was.
Sadly, many today still do not recognize Him.
Throughout the generations of time, God has sent prophets to declare the truthfulness of the gospel; that salvation comes through Jesus Christ and by no other way.
This is why the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her to “fear not.”
This is why the angel came to the shepherds in the field, bringing good tidings of great joy.
This is why the shepherds came with haste.
This is why Simeon said that his eyes had seen salvation.
This is why the wise men of the East, who had seen the signs and the star in heaven, came and knelt before the Lord, giving gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This is why we celebrate His birth this Christmas season.
Christmas represents kindness, compassion and all things good. Christmas represents the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
This is Christmas.
May God bless us with peace on earth and good will toward all mankind; our brothers and sisters.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
