Reflections Of Messiah: Contemporary Advent Meditations Inspired By Handel

Journalist Jim Melchiorre began listening to a recording of Handel's oratorio Messiah as a way to avoid being swept away by consumerism at Christmas. He found familiar music and text a source of comfort and inspiration, a way to find solace in the midst of much seasonal busyness. He also read the scriptures on which the great oratorio is based. He came to fresh understandings of the prophetic mission of the Christ. In short meditations for all the days of Advent plus Christmas Day, Melchiorre reflects a passionate understanding of Jesus. Each day's meditation is based on a portion of scripture included in Handel's Messiah. The meditations call attention to the prophetic understanding of Christianity. Melchiorre invites us to comfort the old, the weak, the marginalized. He reminds us of the relevance of the statement: The work of the Messiah always has and always will be to comfort the afflicted--and to afflict the comfortable. Using the words of the prophet Isaiah, Melchiorre reminds us that the Messiah will exalt every valley, bring every mountain low, straighten the crooked paths, and smooth over the rough roads.