On Christmas a long time ago, George Frederick Handel, the great composer, was deep in despair. The once famous and highly praised musician was nearly bankrupt and weighed down with dejection. He didn’t know where to turn or what to do. It was a bleak moment in his rich and illustrious musical career.

Upon reading these words, “For unto us a Child is born... His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God... He was despised and rejected of men... I know that my Redeemer liveth... Hallelujah”, Handel’s despair lifted from his heart, and He saw Jesus, the Messiah in a more glorious light. Two weeks later he completed the Messiah with its glorious Hallelujah chorus.

Christmas audiences around the globe still thrill to its sound.

Handel’s true story captures succinctly the message of Christmas. No one needs despair any longer, Jesus Christ comes to redeem us and bring us home. Alleluia!

No matter what the world may look like, Jesus Christ continues to come among us. The Son of God proclaims His kingdom still, asking us to do our part to help establish Jesus reign not only at Christmas, but every day we live.

St. Francis de Sales deeply moved at the thought of Jesus’ birth wrote:

“We have received greater graces through redemption wrought by our Savior, Jesus Christ than we would ever have received from Adam and Eve had they remained innocent.”

A Reading from the Gospel of John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him and without him not one thing came into being.