Starting with the prophecies of Isaiah, Handel takes us through the Christmas story,
and on through the Passion, the Resurrection and the Glorification of Christ. No wonder
there are so many performances of Handel's Messiah at this time of year... If you
get a chance to listen to one, it's a good way of preparing for Christmas, and reflecting
on the deeper meaning of the Incarnation. Some of the hymns we sing during Advent
take the preaching of John the Baptist as a starting point."On Jordan's bank, the
Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh;come,then and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings from the king of kings." Monsignor Philip Whitmore in a programme
produced by Veronica Scarisbrick... Listen: