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The Pinecone
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April 2016
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f r om Don J oh n s on , K i r b y P i n e s Chap l a i n
Chaplain’s COrner
George Frederick Handel, a German composer who adopted the
United Kingdom as his home, was well-known and loved, draw-
ing large crowds everywhere. When his oratorio, Messiah, was
premiered on April 13, 1742 in Dublin the audience was asked
to leave their hoop skirts and swords at home to prevent over-
crowding the music hall. Messiah has inspired millions since it
was first presented 274 years ago. It ranks as one of the highest
musical masterpieces of all time. Handel lived long enough to
see his oratorio become a cherished tradition and popular work.
He was especially pleased to see it performed to raise money for
benevolent causes.
Amazingly Handel wrote the Messiah music and lyrics in only
24 days. It contains a quarter of a million notes. Miles Hoff-
man, NPR music commentator, observed that Handel working
ten hours a day for the over three weeks would have written 15
notes per minute to create Messiah. Handel said the music came
to him in rapid succession. This was at a time when he was
struggling with his eyesight, was partially paralyzed on his right
side and was facing the threat of a debtor’s prison due to large
financial bills. May we always remember that great things can
“The Messiah”
come out of difficult times.
Handel credits the completion of this work to one thing: JOY.
He said his heart almost burst as he felt the joy of all he was
hearing in his mind and heart. Weaving together unsurpassed
music about Christ the Messiah he rose majestically to the mas-
terpiece’s conclusion: “The Hallelujah Chorus.”
Legend says England’s King George II attended a performance
of Messiah and when the final chorus was sung stood to his feet.
Everyone else followed his example. Whether true or not the
world still stands today when “The Hallelujah Chorus” is pre-
sented. Nothing is more appropriate. The masterpiece and all it
stands for calls for such a response.
Nehemiah 8:10 declares, “…for the joy of the Lord is your
strength.” Hebrews 12:2 describes the Passion of crucifixion
where the Lord “endured a cross and thought nothing of its
shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering.”
Psalm 16:11 shouts, “in your Presence is fullness of joy.” I Peter
1:8 proclaims “whom having not seen you love. Though now
you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inex-
pressible and full of glory.”
Many years ago a lady defined “Joy” for me with an acrostic.
Using each letter to describe how joy could be found, her defini-
tion was “J” (Jesus), “O” (Others), “Y” (Yourself). If the letters
are placed in any other order they will never spell “JOY.”
The inspiration and enthusiasm Handel experienced can be ours
today. As we look at Christ’s Birth, Death and Resurrection (the
three divisions of Messiah) we can only be joyous, even exuber-
ant? We may not have the gift and talent to create a masterpiece,
but we can live with such depth and commitment that others will
join us in a never ending “hallelujah chorus.”
Till next time, Don Johnson, KP Chaplain
Apr i l Vesper Serv ices
•
6:30pm
•
Per formi ng Ar t s Center
April 14th
Reverend Les Helton
Collierville Baptist Church
Music with their Choral Group
April 21st
Doctor
Joe Piercy
United Methodist Minister
April 28th
Reverend
Mike Malone
Independent Presbyterian
April 7th
Leon Sanderson
White Station
Church of Christ