One of my favorite songs to listen to during the holiday season is the soulful rendition of “Handel’s Messiah” that was arranged by Quincy Jones and Mervyn Warren, an original member of the gospel a cappella group Take 6.
“Handel’s Messiah” was released on an album with other Christmas classics back in 1992, and the album featured some of the biggest names in gospel music at the time, including Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Tramaine Hawkins.
On Jones and Warren’s arrangement of “Handel’s Messiah,” I especially love the vamp where Coley takes over with his stirring tenor vocals, leading the choir with joyful “hallelujahs.”
At the beginning of December, I spent my mornings jamming to “Handel’s Messiah” due to prepping to speak on the topic of the significance of Christ reigning “forevermore” at my church’s Christmas dinner. I was one of four presenters, and I began by reflecting on the lyrics of the Handel oratorio that powerfully portray the omnipotence of God reigning with “His Christ” … “for ever and ever.”
I mentioned how it is difficult for us to fathom the eternity of “forever and ever” having lived our lives in this earthly realm that is governed by time. Many people don’t really start contemplating eternity until death is near; however, the assurance of God reigning means that we can have joy in the present.
After my remarks at the dinner, I began thinking more about how the story of Christmas not only accentuates the extraordinary miracle of Christ’s birth as a gift of salvation, but it is also an open invitation for Christ to reign over every circumstance, that is, to allow Him to be Lord.
Many people will enjoy singing and listening to traditional Christmas songs like “Handel’s Messiah” and others that proclaim Christ’s lordship such as “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night” during the holidays, but a vital spiritual question to ask is who or what truly reigns in their lives.
Another way to look at this is to assess what takes up most of our time and attention, the things that many of us stress over. For example, a lot of people are burdened by work-related stress due to the pressures of their jobs. In February, Zippia Research published results of a survey study that revealed “83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress, with 25% saying their job is the No. 1 stressor in their lives.”
More middle-aged respondents reported being worried about their financial status in the 2010s – a 27% increase – compared to their age cohort in the 1990s.
Overall, 55% of Americans surveyed by Zippia said that they are “stressed during the day,” and on a scale from one to 10, the “average American” ranked their stress level at 4.9. This burden of stress was carried by many in this survey throughout the year, and it’s probably still a heavy load.
For some, the stress may ease a little during Christmas, and for others, it will weigh them down again as soon as 2024 arrives.
I have had my personal battles with stress like everyone else. I have worried about finances, work responsibilities and the well-being of family members. Each one has been a “No. 1 stressor,” but I am determined not to allow worry to reign in my life.
A scripture that comes to mind now that I did not use in my Christmas dinner remarks is the latter part of John 10:10, which states, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (Amplified).
I have read this verse many times, but it truly stands out now as another reason to rejoice in the beautiful message of Christmas: Christ was born so that we might reign. This is a wonderful promise that exemplifies how the sacred meaning of Christmas applies to what we experience day to day.
It is the continual assurance of hope, peace, love and joy that reminds us we have the ability to triumph over every obstacle in this world.
Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at The Ohio State University-Lima. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @JjSmojc. Her opinion does not necessarily represent the views of The Lima News or its owner, AIM Media.
