Join a Spiritual Growth Advent and Lent Bible Study, led by Rev. Wendy Adams.

A study for both the music lover and the biblical seeker, it explores the scriptural texts of Handel’s Messiah. This study offers careful examination of the texts and enriches the musical experience of Handel’s Messiah.

This event runs Thursdays in November (2, 9, 16, 23, 30) from 10:00am to Noon

Please sign up here:

Welcome to the Study and Summary of each Thursday Session

Welcome to “Hallelujah, the Bible and Handel’s Messiah.”

Welcome to a wonderful way into the Bible. Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, is one of the best-loved musical compositions of all time. In this study we are going to take advantage of that love and use it as an avenue into the biblical texts on which Messiah is based.

This course is designed to deepen our appreciation of both the words and the music of Handel’s Messiah. Because it is primarily a Bible study curriculum, our focus will naturally be on the Bible. Yet, it would be a waste of resources to concentrate only on the biblical texts without some attention to how they are interpreted musically in Messiah. So, we will be exploring both. The good news is that you do not have to be an expert in either music or the Bible to benefit from this course. The only real requirements are that you have a genuine interest in learning more about the Bible, and a desire to appreciate Handel’s Messiah more deeply.

At the very least you will never listen to Handel’s Messiah in quite the same way again. At most, we hope that your faith will be enriched by a deeper appreciation of both the words and the music to this profoundly spiritual oratorio.

Part 1 of this study deals with the prophecy and birth of the Messiah. These biblical texts usually appear in the lectionary readings for the season of Advent and the Calgary Philharmonic is performing the Messiah on December 1, and 2. Each week we will cover basic Bible references, Messiah music references and a word list with several key items that will be featured. There is a study guide which you may use to work ahead and prepare for the lessons, as well as “for further study and reflection” if you would like to make this course part of your personal devotional time. The Study Guide includes research projects which will enrich your grasp of the material, and recommended texts for your “Memory Bank”. You do not need to have a recording of the Messiah, but listening to it on your own will enhance your experience. You are welcome to come and participate in this study in any way you are able: Drop in once, zoom in from home, or dig deeply with us into the Word and music.

Part 2 of this study will be held in the new year. We will continue to look at the passages of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and pay particular attention to how and why the early Christians heard these passages in reference to Christ. We will also press on to look for ways in which to apply them to our own lives. The result, we hope, will be a richer and more fulfilling appreciation of Scripture as the living Word of God.

In Christ,

Rev. Wendy Adams

Summary of Part 1 (Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)

Session 1 Summary – Thursday, November 2

The words for several of the opening pieces in Handel’s Messiah are drawn from Isaiah 40. In this session we will begin to familiarize ourselves with the historical and theological background of the book of Isaiah. With that background we will be better equipped to appreciate the comfort communicated by both Isaiah 40 and Handel’s interpretation of it in the context of Jesus Christ.

• Recitative for Tenor (Comfort ye, comfort ye my people)
• Air for Tenor (Every Valley shall be exalted)
• Chorus (And the glory of the Lord)
• Air for Also and Chorus (O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
• Basic Bible References: 2 Kings 17-19; Isaiah 40:1-11; Isaiah 1:21-31; John 10:1-18

Session 2 Summary

If the theme of Messiah’s opening pieces (I. 1-4) is comfort, then the theme of the subsequent set (I. 5-7) is accountability. How can believers prepare the way for the Messiah? What can we expect of him when he comes—and comes again? What will he expect of us?

• Recitative for Bass (Thus saith the Lord)
• Air for Also (But who may abide)
• Chorus (And he shall purify)
• Basic Bible References: Haggai 1:1-14, 2:1-9; Malachi 1:6-14; 2:1-9; 3:1-4;
• Ezra 1:2-4; 3:10-13; 6:3-5 Revelation 4:1-6

Session 3 Summary

Handel and Jennens quote several verses from Isaiah 7 and 9 in Messiah. In this session we will attempt to understand what these words meant at the time when they were written, as well as how they came to take on new meanings when they were read by subsequent generations of believers. We will also discuss some guidelines for appropriating them in our own lives.

• Recitative for Alto (Behold, a virgin shall conceive)
• Air for Bass (The people that walked in darkness)
• Chorus (For unto us a child is born)
• Basic Bible references: Isaiah 7-1-17; Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 4:12-16

Session 4 Summary

Many Jews of Jesus’ day expected a messiah who would wield political power as an earthly king. In this session we will explore the ways in which Jesus’ messiahship met-and did not meet-their expectations. Handel’s Messiah uses Luke 2’s description of the angelic announcement to the shepherds to capture some of the way in which power is made perfect in weakness. It also features passages from Isaiah 40 and Matthew 11 to further describe Jesus as Good Shepherd.

• Pastoral Symphony
• Recitative for Soprano (There were shepherds, abiding in the field)
• Recitative for Soprano (And suddenly there was with the angel)
• Chorus (Glory to God)
• Duet for Alto and Soprano (He shall feed his flock. Come unto him.)
• Basic Bible References: Luke 2:1-14; Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 11:28-29

Session 5 Summary

Part II of Handel’s Messiah explores the ways in which Handel and Jennens use John 1:29 to prepare the way for the texts from Isaiah 53. John’s use of the Lamb of God language in reference to Jesus Christ identifies him as a suffering Messiah, an idea which would have been contrary to all expectations of the time.

• Chorus (Behold the Lamb of God)
• Air for Alto (He was despised)
• Chorus (Surely he hath borne our griefs)
• Chorus (And with his stripes)
• Chorus (All we like sheep)
• Basic Bible References: John 1:29-42, Isaiah 53