This past Saturday evening, I had the blessing of joining the parish of Holy Name in West Roxbury for an evening of prayer in song. A remarkable choir gathered to sing the first part of Handel’s “Messiah,” and visiting choir members from other parishes had the chance to join in for the chorus parts. Handel’s “Messiah” is often sung during Advent and Christmas because of its use of Scripture passages that foretell the coming of the Messiah, and which tell of His glory and the deliverance of His people. While Handel’s great work is perhaps most famous for the Hallelujah Chorus, my favorite moment is the sung proclamation of Isaiah’s prophecy, “For unto us a child is born, a Son is given.” (cf. 9:6). The moment is one in which we rejoice that the divine child born to Mary is a gift for us all. Read rest of column here.