December 4

Handel's Messiah is without a doubt my favorite piece of music. Recently I had to drive a couple hours in the car, and I listened to it for the first time this season. From now until the new year it will be the standard music in my vehicle, for my daily commute as well as the longer trips.

The music transports me. The words uplift me. The words are Scripture. When you listen to The Messiah, you are inadvertently memorizing Scripture, and that is always a good thing.

I read recently that in August of 1741 Handel was given a list of Scriptures by a friend, and when he read them he was overcome and the music began exploding within him. The entire score was written in 24 days, and is the most performed music in all of history. Isn't it amazing what the Word can inspire?

One of my favorite songs in The Messiah is based on Matthew 11: 28-30.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Those verses seem especially appropriate at this time of year. Are you weary yet? This week I am - it seems that Thanksgiving came so late and Christmas is upon us. The month has hardly begun and I'm already feeling behind.

But there is perspective in His Word. His yoke is easy. What He wants me to do is totally do-able. He gives me the strength to get every bit of His will done. Are you sharing His yoke? Or are you trying to pull through the holiday season all in your own strength? Talk to Him about it now. Lean on Him and even your busyness will be bearable - because He's there right next to you, each step of the way. Spend some time in the Word each day and see if you can't become consciously aware of your yoke mate - all through each day. No organizational tip can top that advice!