16. Starting Christmas Right

Last night I went and saw a performance of Handel's Messiah for the first time. It was actually a Utah Symphony "sing-in" performance, meaning that the audience was invited to participate with the chorus pieces. It was thus a doubly good experience.

I love this aspect of Christmas. Christmas is about Christ. Though the commercial world vies for our attention at every possible opportunity, attempting to distract us from the divine to the selfish, the true motive of Christmas is remembering Christ: His birth, His life, and His divinity. He truly was a gift to all mankind.

Perhaps my favorite part of the performance was the Air for soprano "I know that my Redeemer liveth." It is based on Job 19:25-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:20. The text is as follows:

"I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day 

upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall

I see God. (Job 19:25-26)

For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that

sleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)" (as per Lyrically)

Both of these are among my favorite scriptures. I really appreciate that the meaning of Christmas is not only that Christ was born, but that He lives! Because though He died, He rose from the dead, and is but the first fruits of them that slept, "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22, quoted in the following movement, "Since by man came death
by man came also the resurrection"). Christmas (together with Easter) is a special time of year to remember and celebrate this loving and miraculous sacrifice.

I love the simple testimony of Job: "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." I hope that this Christmas season we will all ponder this basic truth and our own feelings on the matter. I know He lives. Despite the debatable beginnings and numerous exterior influences which even today are influencing the tradition of Christmas, the holiday is an opportunity for me to remember and relish this fundamental truth. I promise that the more we do so, the more meaningful joy and peace we will find in this special time of year.