Come Experience The Messiah- Reflections from Participants

As we prepare for the community’s performance of Handel’s Messiah this weekend, we wanted to reflect together on our experiences and insights as performers.

By Sally: Growing up, my community held an annual Christmas choral, filled with beautiful music that conveyed the joy, festivity, and feeling of togetherness of the Christmas season. The performances always culminated with the Hallelujah Chorus, and I remember feeling inspired by the jubilation found in the coming of Christ that the famous piece conveys.

I moved to Alaska a few months ago, and I accepted a friend’s invitation to sing in the Mat-Su Messiah, delighted at the opportunity to learn more of the iconic oratorio and its message of Jesus Christ.

The Messiah not only highlights Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection but prompts us to reflect on these events and remember that, though they happened millennia ago, they are pertinent to you and me today. Through the sung scriptures, we learn that prophets of old foretold of the Son of God, who would come to rule and reign over His people. He would “bear our griefs and carry our sorrows,” though we would turn away from Him and often reject His loving mercy. The Messiah invites us to contemplate this Savior and receive the matchless love and mercy that He freely gives us. Both singing and hearing this sacred music has brought peace to my soul in a troubled time. It is the perfect reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

By Katie: My family has always loved music, but something about the music of The Messiah struck a deeper chord with us last December. We gathered around the dinner table, music in hand, and sang together. Our children—ranging in age from our two to fourteen—eagerly joined in, singing "Hallelujah" with joyful ambition. It was such a simple yet profound moment, as we witnessed even our toddler grasping the power of those words. The music brought a spirit of reverence and joy into our home in a way that nothing else could.

Our children felt the power of The Messiah in their hearts that Christmas. It’s not often that young children can fully grasp the meaning of the words, but the beauty of the music, combined with the message it conveys, planted seeds of faith and understanding. Whether they understood every word or not, they felt joy singing songs that praised Christ and celebrated His birth.

It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season—the shopping, the cooking, the decorating—but singing Handel’s Messiah around our table last year reminded us of the central message of Christmas: Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate. The beauty of the music not only brought the words to life but also helped our hearts and minds focus on the Savior in a way that was meaningful and lasting.

The Messiah is more than just a piece of classical music; it’s a testament to the divinity and mission of Jesus Christ. From the powerful declarations of "For Unto Us a Child is Born" to the reverent "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," the music of The Messiah speaks directly to the heart. It reminds us that Christmas is not just about presents or festivities, but about the birth of a Savior who came to redeem the world.

I’ve sung in the community Messiah many times, but last year the experience took on a deeper meaning as I performed standing between my mother and my mother-in-law. It was a deeply sacred experience. As we sang together, I could feel a bond between us, uniting us not only by our love for each other but by our shared faith in Christ. I understood that we— and, in fact, all the musicians—carried our personal experiences and faith, yet all lifted our voices in praise of the same Savior.

All are welcome to come and partake of the joy that is the Mat-Su Community Messiah this Sunday, December 8, at 2 and 7 pm at The Glenn Massey Theater. Admission is free and first come first served. Doors open thirty minutes before start time.

Sally Kohlhase is a new resident of the Mat-Su Valley. She recently married the love of her life, Nathan, and together they own two small businesses. She enjoys running, skiing, reading, and baking. Sally is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Katie McKee is a pediatric ICU nurse, a mama of 4, and avid outdoorswoman. She loves to fish, four-wheel, and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.