Great Joy!
(Luke 2)

Editor's Commentary

Can you recall being surprised by joy? Perhaps seeing an old friend, opening a wonderful gift, beholding a natural beauty. I remember being surprised to tears of joy as I witnessed my first child's birth into the world.  This next segment in Handel's Messiah speaks of a surprising joy like none other recorded in the Scriptures and occurring in all of human history. Shepherds at night were tending sheep -- just another night's work.  Suddenly brightly breaking into the night sky appeared angels -- singing angels, accompanied by "heavenly host!"  And the shepherds? Frightened, amazed, stunned, but comforted by the chorus of heavenly visitors.

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

JOY, JOY, JOY! 

"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.”

May you know this Joy, and may it light all your days, especially through darkness!   

Video Performance (4:27)

14a. Recitative (soprano) – “There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2, v.8)

14b. Accompagnato (soprano) “And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” (Luke 2, v.9)

15. Recitative (soprano) – “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2, 10–11)

16. Accompagnato (soprano) – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,” (Luke 2, v.13)

17. Chorus – “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.” (Luke 2, v.14)