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It’s Publication Day!

In my previous emails, I told you how I almost ruined Christmas by over-scheduling and what I did differently the next Christmas. Listening to Handel’s Messiah that season prepared my heart for Christmas like never before. The libretto, or lyrics, to the oratorio are all based on Bible verses; some of them are word for word.  As I listened each day, I also studied the verses. I researched them, prayed them, sang them, and yes, even ugly-cried over them. I discovered that Handel’s Messiah is the story of Advent: his music groans with the depth of depravity; pleads for a Savior; rejoices with the Word made flesh; and swells with heart-lifting adoration. But Messiah also reminded me that we are still waiting for Him. 

We are still faced with the depravity of man.

We still long for Christ to return. 

We still long for Him to make all things new.  

Messiah uses Scripture to tell not only the story of Advent, but of the entire gospel message, and to encourage us as we await the second coming of our worthy King. Because of this, Messiah is beautiful not only at Christmas, but at any time of year. 

My book, Worthy: A Journey Through Handel’s Messiah, is the highly anticipated publication of the research I completed as I personally journeyed through this timeless masterpiece and discovered anew the all-surpassing worthiness of my Savior. And now, I can think of nothing better than to invite you to embark on the same journey. 

Worthy: A Journey Through Handel’s Messiah is available now. Visit my Products page for ordering information.

The Countdown Continues – Post #2

I told you about how I almost ruined Christmas one year by jam-packing our schedule with too many activities. The memories of how stressed out, stretched thin, and just unhappy I was that Christmas made me realize that although my intent was good, the result was distracted chaos that separated me and my family from remembering the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. 

I am counting down the days until the launch of Worthy: A Journey through Handel’s Messiah, and I was just so excited I wanted to stop and share some more of the story with you.

It should come as no surprise then that the next year, I did a complete 180 and canceled advent. Cringing at the thought of another overstuffed calendar, I ditched all of the Pinterest-perfect checkboxes and resolved in my heart to plan absolutely nothing other than our usual Christmas activities – you know, exchanging gifts, eating way too much sugar, and reading the Biblical accounts of the Christmas story. 

But God had quietly arranged one more thing for me to do. In our homeschool that December, we just happened to be studying one of my favorite composers: George Frideric Handel. As the unit of study fell during Advent, and I determined that this year, the ONLY thing I would put on our “Advent Activities” calendar was listen to Handel’s Messiah.  My childhood church performed Messiah every year during the Christmas season, so I was already familiar with the more popular and recognizable pieces, but I had never stopped to listed to the entire work.  When we began the symphonic introduction on December 1, I did not anticipate the incredible effect that this little exercise would have on my reflection on the birth of Christ.  As I listened to the entire Messiah over and over again throughout December, it gradually became the background theme that echoed through our days in beautiful and subtle ways, until at last I realized something I had never stopped to consider. As the music washed over me that Christmas, my heart swelled with overwhelming emotion and I found myself running to my Bible, and in my next post, I’ll tell you what I found when I did.

The Countdown Begins – Post #1

I am so excited to share the upcoming release of my second book, a devotional study titled Worthy: A Journey Through Handel’s Messiah.  Few people know that Handel’s Messiah represents a complete telling of the gospel message, from the fall of man and the hopelessness of original sin to the triumphant second coming of Christ the King. Worthy divides Handel’s Messiah into a 25 day study of the Scriptures that inspired each piece from one of history’s most beloved and recognized works for an enriching examination of the prophecies, life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus.

Although Worthy is not specifically meant for Christmas, it does serve well as an Advent study for two reasons: first, because it features Handel’s Messiah, which is traditionally performed at Christmas; and second, because I was inspired to write this devotional after almost ruining Christmas. That season, a few years ago, I fell into the trap of trying to check all the “special season” boxes – you know, things like “go Christmas caroling” and “take cookies to the fire station.”  I put an enormous amount of pressure on myself and my family to make sure we did all of the “fun and meaningful” things, and in the process, I removed all of the fun and meaning from Christmas. During the season that celebrates the arrival of the Prince of Peace, I had no peace. Nor did anyone else in my household. My performance-driven schedule took our focus off of Jesus and the undeserved grace He came to give.

I still cringe when I think about that Christmas, but the Lord had a lesson for me in that season – a season that ultimately led to the creation of my book, Worthy: A Journey through Handel’s Messiah.  In my next post, I’ll explain a little further.