"MESSIAH" - HANDEL'S CHRISTMAS PORTION

Perhaps one of the most wonderful traditions of COTK as a church is staging Handel's Christmas portion of "Messiah," shortly after the Feast of Christ the King. Over the years, we saw how parishioners and guests would find time to come and after watching it each time, would go home with a renewed hope in their hearts.

Throughout COTK's nomadic journey of going from one worship place to another, we remain grateful that the Holy Society of King David, under the tutelage of Fr. Dino Jorvina, has been instrumental and faithful in keeping this tradition whenever possible.

Last December 2, at the COTK Parish Center Sanctuary, which is now our permanent place of worship, we were blessed to witness homegrown "Messiah" talents as well as guests perform.The ensemble, which was composed of sopranos, altos, tenors, and baritones and the mini orchestra composed of those on keyboard, strings, and wind, was ably guided by Conductor Gino Jorvina. Movement performers likewise complimented each rendition of selected pieces in the libretto. It was a wonderful blend of the familiar and new faces and voices alike. When the Hallelujah chorus was finally sung, we had goosebumps, perhaps because it gave us a glimpse of what it is like to be in the Awesome Presence of our God in Holy Trinity!

The night was capped with cocktails being served to more than a hundred performers and guests. It was, indeed, a wonderful way to rekindle fellowship among friends and acquaintances, which the Covid-19 pandemic has deprived us for a long time.

We may have lost people dear to us, jobs, or opportunities during the pandemic and things will never be the same again. Yet this still rings true today -- "Messiah" is God's way of reminding us that, no matter what we all go through, God's love for us never changes. Jesus Christ is our Savior and He shall reign forever. Let this truth sustain THE hope we have from within. The unfortunate events we go through are temporary. Our God is permanent! We just have to believe and act on our faith. The "Messiah" is not just a show that we watch and forget about later. The "Messiah" is Jesus Himself, up close and personal, Who saved us from sin, Who can identify with our pains and gains, our failures and successes, our weaknesses and strengths, Whose Holy Spirit enables us to endure our tribulations, to love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable among us; ultimately, Who causes us to know our Great, Sovereign, Eternal God and to make Him known to others.

To everyone who has been part of Handel's Messiah 2022, congratulations!