George Friederich Handel (1685-1759) is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. He composed forty-two operas, and is famous for his Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and for his coronation piece Zadok the Priest, performed at every coronation of a British monarch since George II in 1727. Yet it is for Messiah that Handel is best known.

The librettist, Charles Jennens (1700-1773), drew together texts to form three areas of concern. Part I recounts the prophecies of the coming Messiah; Part II focuses on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus; Part III looks toward the day of final judgment and glory, when sin and death will be no more.

“For Unto Us a Child is Born,” from Part I, recounts the words from the King James Version of Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah wrote these words about the coming Messiah more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus – a long time to wait for a prophecy to come true. But it did come true. And as a result, we have a Christmas song that comes from well before the 21 Centuries that this series advertises.

The London Symphony Orchestra and the Tenebrae Choir performing, with Sir Colin Davis conducting.