Hallelujah! An Advent Devotional on Handel’s Messiah

Advent and Christmas are filled with singing – and perhaps no piece of choral music is more familiar this time of year than George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. 

Originally performed in the Easter season, it’s now a Christmas classic: a deep musical and biblical dive (every word in the oratorio is from Scripture) into the mission and meaning of the One who arrives on Christmas morning. “For unto us a child is born!”

Complete with four weekly Advent devotions, including candle lighting, plus a fifth for Christmas Eve; and 26 daily reflections moving through Messiah in chronological sequence, this resource is perfect for individuals, families, small groups, and congregations who want to explore the deeper meanings of Advent and Christmas – inspired by the power of music!

Along the way, we’ll learn:

• Abraham Lincoln’s connection to the Hallelujah Chorus

• The “Big Idea” at the heart of the oratorio

• How Messiah transformed Handel’s life – and 140 prisoners’ lives

• How it became a public scandal in London

• What its 81 biblical verses are and what they mean

• How the music’s form enhances its meaning — and much more!

In addition to the Scriptural passages from Messiah, the passages for the weekly devotional services correspond to Year B in the Revised Common Lectionary – but since their themes are universal, this devotional can be used fruitfully during any Advent season.

Files: This listing is for a downloadable PDF, printing instructions for the 8.5 x 11 weekly devotional and the 8.5 x 11 daily devotional, and an e-reader version of the resource as well. With this congregational license, any or all of these can be distributed (electronically or in hard copy) to members of your congregation.

Please note: you will not receive a physical product as this is a digital download. This resource is for congregational use only, which means it may not be reproduced commercially, duplicated, or resold :)