December 23 - Messiah - Psalm 68:18; 11

December 23 - Messiah - Psalm 68:18; 11

Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even from Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. 

The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.

Handel went to England in 1712 after his opera Rinaldo was performed to rave reviews.  He wrote Ode for the Queen’s Birthday and another piece, then began receiving an annual allowance of 200 pounds from Queen Anne.  When she died in 1714, he became the director of music to the Duke of Chandos and in 1726 he became a British subject. This allowed him to be appointed a composer of the Chapel Royal. He wrote the Coronation Anthems for George II in 1727 and the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline in 1737.

My mother always joked that when she was on her way to heaven, she was going to grab everyone she could and halfway there, say, “Do you believe in Him now, or would you like me to drop you?”

Christ, in ascending to take his place as ruler of earth in heaven, gathered his enemies in his train and received gifts from those whom he had conquered.

The news of his reign is spread throughout the world by an immense number of people.  The message is clear.  God has triumphed.  His is the victory over rulers and their kingdoms.  The joyous news of His victory goes out to the people.

This Good News is what we share today.  The Lord has triumphed over his enemies.  Death has been defeated, the battle is won.

With the birth of Jesus we celebrate the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth, at Easter we celebrate the beginning of Jesus’ life within the hearts of all humanity.  Every single day, the Good News that Jesus has saved us from lives of sin is time for celebration.

Share the Good News, live the Good News.  Jesus Christ reigns.  Evil has been conquered.