Advent is a time of hope and anticipation. It speaks not only of the blessed event of the birth of the Christ child but also of that day when the triumphant Christ shall establish his reign over every heart ”when "nations shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." as Isaiah describes that eternal hope. Paul describes that glorious day this way, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians. 2: 10-11).

One of the great pieces of music that helps us celebrate this special season is George Frederick Handel’s magnificent work, "Messiah." Handel’s life story is itself a living parable of the meaning of the Christian hope. Handel, after a brief flurry of popularity, had been reduced…