Albert Mohler: The Story Behind Handel’s Messiah

Friday, December 26, 2025

Most of you know about Handel’s Messiah, perhaps the most popular and enduring work of George Frideric Handel. But few remember Charles Jennens, who wrote and conceived of the idea of the Oratorio, The Messiah.

The Oratorio is still performed thousands of times worldwide at Christmas.

Jennens wrote The Libretto. That's the text of Messiah, tying together the Bible central story, God's salvation of His people through the work of the Messiah. He used the very words of the Bible for his text. His purpose was to remind the audience of the truth and power of the story of salvation, and thus his attention on the Birth of Christ.

Handel put the words to majestic music in just 21 days. For unto us, a child is born. That is the prophet's declaration. That's God's great gift to us at Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

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