Pathways Press.com

Written by Walter Walker, a contemporary author

On Saturday, August 22, 1741, George Frederic Handel, the German-born composer, sat down at his desk in the front room of his house in London. After bowing his head to ask the Lord’s blessing, he wrote at the top of a blank piece of paper, “Messiah.” His quill pen could hardly keep up with the musical notes and harmonies that soon began to flow through his mind. Hour by hour and day by day he wrote. He continued morning, noon, and night. All food placed at his door by servants remained untouched. He finished the first part in seven days, the second part in nine days, and the final part in six days. On September 15, twenty-four days after he began, Handel put the final touches on the closing lines of the Hallelujah chorus. Emerging from his study with tears streaming down his face, he cried out to the startled servant who met him, “I did think I did see all heaven before me and the great God Himself!”

And he shall reign forever and ever. [Revelation 11:15]