Mary and Joseph at the Inn - Abraham Willemsens, Handel's Messiah, Christmas Poem - Rachael Lofgren

Mary and Joseph at the Inn by Abraham Willemsens

Here is a link to Wikipedia's article on Abraham Willemsens.

We'll be featuring Handel's Messiah for the month of December.

Here is a link to the full oratorio, Handel's Messiah as performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.  I have been enjoying listening to this all day.  I'd like to follow along and get familiar with some of the words.  Here is a link to the texts for each song.  As you can see it basically comes right out of the Scripture.  The words for each part are often repeating so it should be easy to catch and learn them.  I think I'll print that page out for myself and my children. 

Here is a link to Part I of Handel's Messiah Comfort Ye My People and Every Valley Shall Be Exalted. 

A listing of the three parts and the songs in each part as copied from Wikipedia's article on Handel's Messiah  is at the end of this post. You might enjoy sharing parts of the article with your children.

A Christmas poem by my daughter, Rachael Lofgren

Ah, can it be, God's glory came

To earth a babe, from heaven's reign?

To live and die among our dust;

That His salvation we might trust.

Oh can it be, a King come down

Would trade a manger for a crown?

The streets of gold and heaven's light,

For earth's dark misery and night?

But oh Redemption, this the plan,

A remedy for fallen man;

A hope, a joy, a love like none,

That God should give HIS ONLY SON!

Ah, GREATEST GIFT of all the years,

Oh Jesus Savior from our sins!

To Heaven's bliss the golden KEY

We praise you for the gift so free!


Handel's Messiah (as copied from Wikipedia)

Part I Scene 1: Isaiah's prophecy of salvation 1. Sinfony (instrumental) 2. Comfort ye my people (tenor) 3. Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (tenor) 4. And the glory of the Lord (chorus) Scene 2: The coming judgment 5. Thus saith the Lord of hosts (bass) 6. But who may abide the day of His coming (soprano, alto or bass) 7. And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus) Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ's birth 8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto) 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (alto and chorus) 10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass) 11. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass) 12. For unto us a child is born (chorus) Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds 13. Pifa ("pastoral symphony": instrumental) 14a. There were shepherds abiding in the fields (soprano) 14b. And lo, the angel of the Lord (soprano) 15. And the angel said unto them (soprano) 16. And suddenly there was with the angel (soprano) 17. Glory to God in the highest (chorus) Scene 5: Christ's healing and redemption 18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano) 19. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (soprano or alto) 20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto and/or soprano) 21. His yoke is easy (chorus)

Part II Scene 1: Christ's Passion 22. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus) 23. He was despised and rejected of men (alto) 24. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus) 25. And with his stripes we are healed (chorus) 26. All we like sheep have gone astray (chorus) 27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn (tenor) 28. He trusted in God that he would deliver him (chorus) 29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano) 30. Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano) Scene 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection 31. He was cut off (tenor or soprano) 32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano) Scene 3: Christ's Ascension 33. Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus) Scene 4: Christ's reception in Heaven 34. Unto which of the angels (tenor) 35. Let all the angels of God worship Him (chorus) Scene 5: The beginnings of Gospel preaching 36. Thou art gone up on high (soprano, alto, or bass) 37. The Lord gave the word (chorus) 38. How beautiful are the feet (soprano, alto, or chorus) 39. Their sound is gone out (tenor or chorus) Scene 6: The world's rejection of the Gospel 40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass) 41. Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus) 42. He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor) Scene 7: God's ultimate victory 43. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor) 44. Hallelujah (chorus)

Part III Scene 1: The promise of eternal life 45. I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano) 46. Since by man came death (chorus) Scene 2: The Day of Judgment 47. Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass) 48. The trumpet shall sound (bass) Scene 3: The final conquest of sin 49. Then shall be brought to pass (alto) 50. O death, where is thy sting (alto and tenor) 51. But thanks be to God (chorus) 52. If God be for us, who can be against us (soprano) Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah 53. Worthy is the Lamb (chorus) Amen (chorus)