The Messiah

In 6th grade, our teacher had us memorize all the scripture texts of The Messiah, then he took us to see the Chicago Symphony perform it. For the first time since 6th grade, Dave and I experienced the power of The Messiah’s message of salvation, being proclaimed by world class musicians. Hearing another big city's symphony sing The Messiah (this time San Francisco) was Dave's Christmas present and we're happy to report we appreciated it a bit more than we did in 6th grade! 

Half the joy of experiencing this was taking our music-loving kids  Though they've been listening to The Messiah their whole lives and can sing along to most of it, Delia did confess some nerves that she'd be bored.  But, when it was over, they declared it "awesome" while we clapped till our hands hurt for a standing ovation that brought the soloists back to stage 3 times.  Between the exuberant, arm-waving conductor, the impassioned, almost-falling-off-their-chairs strings players, the booming chorus of 100 voices, the goosebumps-inducing soloists, the gorgeous symphony hall, and all the Bible verses I had for her to look up, there was enough to keep the girls' attention for almost 3 hours.

The whole night was lovely.  We had dinner at a cozy little bistro halfway between our parking spot and the symphony hall.  It had just right (read: not too fancy or expensive ;) delicious food and drink for all of us!  And we got there early enough to enjoy a stroll around the festively-decorated lobby and the outside balconys' views of the neighboring iconic City Hall building.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of kings, Lord of lords.

 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.

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

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power to be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen