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The Joy of the Season and the joy of the unexpected

We woke up today to the first snow-misting (too light to be a true snowfall) of the season, so I’m celebrating by sharing this YouTube video with you.

The first time I heard the Hallelujah chorus was shortly after college when I was living near Washington, D.C.  I was friends with a Jewish guy (whom I wanted as a boyfriend, but alas he was coming off a serious break-up and wasn’t interested….sigh….don’t recall his name but his car was an ancient Pugeot named Ogg) who loved classical music and opera.  For Christmas, he gave me a gift of a ticket to go with him to the Kennedy Center for the holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah.

I was utterly mystified when everyone suddenly stood up!  The not-a-boyfriend explained that when first played for the King, the King was so moved that he instantly jumped up on his feet.  Since no one was permitted to sit while the King stood, everyone else in attendance at the performance also stood, and that tradition has continued now for what, almost 300 years?  So, I invite you to stand up with me and enjoy this—wouldn’t you have loved to be there?

Here’s to joy and sharing and the unexpected in life!

PS—just looked it up in Wikipedia, there it said about the King (George II of England) and standing during the chorus:

  • He was so moved by the performance that he rose to his feet.
  • Out of tribute to the composer.
  • As was and is the custom, one stands in the presence of royalty as a sign of respect. The Hallelujah chorus clearly places Christ as the King of Kings. In standing, King George II accepts that he too is subject to the Lord of Lords.

Cool beans (as my teen would say)!  And I can sing along and my lack of ability to carry a tune won’t offend anyone except perhaps the cats and the pug!

6 Responses to “The Joy of the Season and the joy of the unexpected”

  1. Audrey Says:

    Beautiful and filmed in Ontario Canada last month.

  2. Sally Wewstcott Says:

    Of Wow! I’ve got goose bumps from listening to that! Thank you so much for sharing that Sarah!

    Hugz

    Sally

  3. Betty Johnson Says:

    Sarah…just a simple thank you. Betty

  4. Anne Says:

    And then there is the story that His Maj. was so bored he fell asleep, the first notes of the Hallelujah chorus woke him up and he jumped to his feet thinking it was the National Anthem. So of course everyone else had to stand too!

  5. Debby H. Says:

    Snizzle… That’s what Maggie Grey called a Snow drizzle on her blog and I immediately thought of you when I read it. That’s definitely a Sarah Ann Smith word for sure! I think I’m definitely going to use that word next time it snows down here in NC. That’s what we had this week-end, a snizzle for sure! It’s about all we ever really get.

  6. Jan Says:

    Oh wow Sarah. I love the idea. I love the execution. I got tears in my eyes. and joy in my heart. I have been colleocting signatures for my husband’s school board nomination at a food court and having something like this happen at a venue like that would ve absolutely fabulous. Thanks for posting.