The Greatest Gift

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of heading downtown to hear on of the Seattle Symphony perform one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music ever created, Handel's Messiah.

At my church back in California we always sang the Hallelujah chorus at Easter and there was another instance at a Barnes & Noble were I put on some headphones in the music section to listen to a bit of "Messiah," but was relatively unfamiliar with just how beautiful it really is. I was excited to hear this masterpiece in its entirety. And excited too for my first trip to Benaroya Hall to hear the symphony.

As we took out seats and waited eagerly for the performance to begin I started looking through the program. All the words were printed there for me to read and I was amazed at what I saw before me. The entire thing, every word, was scripture. Here I was in this great music hall with hundreds and hundreds of other people I prepared to worship.

I began to wonder about all the other people there. Granted, the title is "Messiah" but did everyone there come to worship. I am certain that in a crowd of that size there would be many who do not know the Lord. But why had they come? I hope that as those people sat listening to the beautiful account of the God who left heaven to dwell among the people that he loves and longs to save that their heart were touched. I hope that each person left that place in awe of that story and in awe of the God gave such a precious gift.

As Christmas day fast approaches I feel blessed to know the true story behind this holiday. I am honored that God would give such a precious gift for me. The Great and Powerful God of heaven became a tiny, helpless baby. He gave up everything to come and live in the same world that I must live in. He came to take the punishment that I deserve. He came to be my Savior.