‘Tis That Season, Can You Handel It?

Thanks to the generosity and tech savviness of a blog reader and dear friend, I’ve had my favorite version of G.F. Handel’s Messiah playing on my pocket mp3 for some time now.   BTW, I have my favorite mp3 player model Mrs. Barn bought as a gift more two decades ago, and I especially like the feature of external battery power (one AA lasts a week or more) and external memory (a single 2G SD card, the maximum this ancient model can support, holds about 40 hours of audio). IIRC it was so long ago she bought it at a KMart!  Since that model is no longer available, of course(!), I keep browsing ebay to get replacements when they get worn out (or too banged up).  I rue the day this model is no longer available.  Sometimes I score a NOS unit in the original unopened package but used ones are more likely.

This Messiah is most sublime in its medieval setting using period instruments.  All the musicians and vocalists are superb, but alto Delphine Galou is simply hypnotically radiant.

As I ease back into work in the shop, mostly cleaning and organizing which I find to be the best way to get into it, I have this music running through my ear buds more minutes than not.  It puts a sensory smile on my face to accompany the transcendent smile in my heart as I reflect on the incomprehensible grace of The Incarnation.