Music courtesy of The Falls Church Anglican Choir, Falls Church, Virginia, under the musical direction of Simon Dixon. Audio mastering by Andrew Schooley. From Messiah by George Frideric Handel (1742)

Listen to the full playlist for Handel’s Messiah.

It’s time to wake up—to rise and shine. Let God’s light fill you and shine out to others. Let His message saturate your heart and overflow you. Send out the invitations. Celebrate. Shout it loudly. Share it with everyone you meet. We have glad news, good tidings, a “gospel message of peace and salvation” (Isa. 52:7). As the angel declared: “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Let’s broadcast the invitation. Get the message out, loud and clear.

In Isaiah 40:9 the good news starts from Jerusalem and is meant to reach all the towns. The news is so good, Isaiah starts talking about it 700 years early. He tells us of the deliverance of Israel from Babylonian captivity, but He also speaks of the fuller, greater deliverance from sin, shame, and death that will come through Immanuel, God with us (7:14). He is the Messiah and Prince of Peace (9:6), the righteous Judge and promised descendant of David (11:1–4), the Savior and Redeemer (41:14), the Spirit-filled (42:1) perfect Servant (50:4–8) and Righteous One (53:11) who will suffer as the sacrificial Lamb for our sins (53:5–7), die and be buried like a criminal (53:9), and be raised from the dead (53:11). He demonstrates the Father’s everlasting love, marrying us to Himself and ushering in an unbreakable covenant of blessing (54:4–10). He brings good news to the poor, comfort and healing for the brokenhearted, freedom for the captives and offers a crown of beauty for ashes (61:1–3). Our names are graven on the palms of His hands (49:16).

So like the mountains in Isaiah’s poetic vision, Handel’s Messiah bursts into song (49:13). Allow yourself to be drawn into the melody. Drink deeply of the good news. This is the hope and desire of the nations, a message of comfort for a hurting world. The sad days are over. A Rescuer has come to save. Sin will be pardoned and put away. God’s great glory and beauty are here on display. Behold your God! The Light of the world has come. He is the light of your life. Messiah is here. Arise and shine.