Songs of everlasting joy: Join Mat-Su Community Messiah performers

The Mat-Su Community Messiah will perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah oratorio again this December. Since 1990, musicians from throughout the Mat-Su Valley have joined together to perform the Messiah in celebration of the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This will be the 7th year offering a free performance at the Glenn Massay Theater in Palmer. 2025 Concerts will be Sunday, December 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Singers and musicians started rehearsals this week on October 12, and it’s not too late to join! For more details on performing in the orchestra, chorus, or auditioning as a soloist, see bit.ly/matsu-messiah or find Mat-Su Messiah on Facebook.

The lyrics of Handel’s Messiah were compiled from scripture in the Bible prophesying of Christ’s mission, life, and work. Charles Jennens prepared the libretto in 1741 and Handel composed the music to honor and praise Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. The message is one of “Comfort” (Isaiah 40:1-3), highlighting changes that shall come with the Second Coming of Christ. “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low…and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed” (Isaiah 40: 4-5).

Isaiah prophesied of “people that walked in darkness [who] have seen a great light.” As the light is quickly fading with our winter hours, and the world is in commotion, it’s easy to feel lost in the darkness. Christ shines and gave the example, inviting all people to come unto him, to find rest, to love our enemies, to be peacemakers and serve each other with love. “Come unto Him, all ye that labor, come unto Him ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The scriptures in the Messiah provide the arc and structure to follow the ancient prophesies of Christ’s birth, his ministry, death, resurrection, and foretell of the time he shall come again, when “the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

While I long for the day when Christ will come again, I find comfort and peace in the present darkness, orienting myself to him and moving forward in faith. I feel the strength of his love and the joy in his word and shine with his reflected light. His spirit confirms that he both sees and knows me and invites, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

“And the Lord said: Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah shall come; for he saith—I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall; wherefore, blessed are they of whom I have spoken, for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy” (Moses 7:53).

I look forward to the coming months as I practice with this community choir, sing in my car, and listen to this music, knowing that each repetition more deeply engraves the words on my heart; reminding me that this is the plan, and I can do (and sing) my part. You are welcome to join us in celebrating these songs of everlasting joy.

Amity Scoville lives in Palmer and loves to sing, snuggle up with a good book, and spend time with her kids. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.