"King of Kings and Lord of Lords"

Upon completion of his masterpiece, The Messiah, Handel said "I think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God Himself." My soul echoed his thought tonight as I performed this great work with our stake choir. What a phenomenal experience. It was truly one of those moments in my life that I wanted to push the pause button for.

I may not have the most seasoned voice, and I can't count rhythms to save my life but I am music person. Not in the way some people may think. I don't know a lot of songs or artists on the radio, I can't play an instrument and I can barley sight read. But I feel music. So deeply that it shakes and awakens the depths of my soul. When I sing (regardless of how I sound) I am transported to another place. As I sing the lyrics to a song its as if a picture unfolds in my mind and I am in the song, seeing, touching, apart of the music. Some may think I am crazy, but I think of it as a gift. For it is when I am singing praises to God, whether it be in sacrament meeting or in a performance such as this, I am with Him. 

If you can imagine this type of a relationship with music then you can understand why preforming in the Messiah was such a powerful experience for me. The Messiah uses text from the old and new testament to tell the story of Christ. It starts with the prophesies and advent of the Savior, then recalls his life and ministry, death and resurrection. The text combined with powerful music makes it the masterpiece that it is. 

For the performance tonight we had a talented choir, full orchestra of professionals as well as talented and classically trained soloist. In rehearsals I was so overwhelmed by the power and majesty of the music that I began to cry. I prayed that for the performance I would be able to praise God without my emotions interfering. It was amazing, during each song I felt the music. In one piece of music I was an angel looking down into a small stable in Bethlehem. I saw the baby Jesus, and with excitement and joy I sang "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called; Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6.)" Next I was part of the heavenly choir that announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds. I sang "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards man (Luke 2:10-11)" Then I was watching the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane taking upon him my sins.  With a heavy heart I sang "Behold the Lamb of God. Who taketh away the sins of the world (John 1:29.)" Then I watched as my savior walked up the road to Calvary, carrying the cross on His back. With pain in my heart I sang "Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4.)" Then I watched as the Roman soldiers nailed my Saviors hands to the cross. With tears in my eyes I sang "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him (Isaiah 53:5.)" Then before I had time to mourn for Him, I was there as the Angles rolled away the stone from his Tomb. I watched as he walked out in his glorified, resurrected state of perfection. With joy and gladness beyond on degree I sang "Lift up your heads, o ye grates, and be lift up, ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and Mighty! (Psalm 24:7-10)" And of course I sang with the host of heavens. Singing anthems of praise, joy, majesty and power. Honoring my Savior as King of all. In the Hallelujah Chorus I sang "Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. And He shall reigh forever and ever! King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:6 & 11:15)" Then I watched my Savior ascend from Heaven to take his rightful place as ruler over all. With shouts of joy and acclamations I sang "Blessing and Honor, Glory and Power be unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 5:12-13)

There aren't words to describe the swelling in my soul as my mind took me to these places as I sung each song. I held my composure for every song. But each time I sang the last note I felt this overwhelming burst of the spirit radiate threw my whole body. It testified to me of the divinity Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer. It was a remarkable experience and the boost I needed to recenter my Holiday season around Christ.