Daily Meditation for January 3, 2025

One of the most beloved musical compositions is Handel’s Messiah. This oratorio, written in 1741, is widely played in both the Christmas and Easter liturgical seasons. Part one of this work is most fitting for the Christmas season. It is titled “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” In glorious sounds, we are reminded of the great gift we have received: God becoming human. In part one, the chorus sings a bevy of names for the newborn Christ child. He is called wonderful, counsellor and the prince of peace. However, the best-known title comes in part two where he is called the Lamb of God—the title by which John the Baptist first publicly acknowledges and points to Jesus. John recognized the divinity within the humanity. Like John, we proclaim our belief in Jesus, the promised Messiah, as we behold and worship the Lamb of God.

By Carol Berg, OSB