Handel's "Messiah" Part One To Be Performed At Newtown Presbyterian

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Presbyterian Church Choir presents Part 1 of Handel's Messiah with soloists, chorus, and orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m.

The enduring classical Christmas music performance, written by German-born English composer George Frederic Handel, debuted on April 13, 1742 in Dublin, Ireland during Lent. From the buoyant “For Unto Us a Child is Born” to the jubilant “Hallelujah Chorus,” Handel’s Messiah is bursting with Christmas joy.

Legend has it that Handel composed "For Unto Us" in only 24 days with little rest and even fewer meals. When he worked on “Hallelujah Chorus,” his servant recalled him saying, with tears in his eyes, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”

There will only be one service at 10 a.m., but there will be Sunday School during the service. There is no admission fee but a free will offering will be taken.

The church is located at 25 North Chancellor Street, Newtown.

Looking ahead, on Christmas Eve a family service will be held at 5 p.m. with choir-led service at 7 and 9 p.m. and a Vesper Service at 11 p.m. On Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day) there will be one service at 10 a.m. and no Sunday School.