Use your talents this holiday Published Dec. 8, 2009 By Chaplain (Maj.) Dwight Magnus 507 ARW Chaplain's Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma -- When Handel wrote his famous work " The Messiah" (highlighted by the Hallelujah Chorus), he had gone from riches to rags. For 30 years he had entertained Lords and Ladies with his operas. But those days seemed long past. Creditors were at his door. He was depressed. He could not sleep and he was plagued by rheumatism. He feared he would finish out his days in a London debtors' prison. But, two letters arrived that summer of 1741 that would change everything. The first letter was an invitation from the Duke of Devonshire inviting him to the Irish Capital, Dublin, to produce a series of benefit concerts "For the relief of the prisoners in the several gaols (jails), and for the support of Mercer's Hospital in Stephen Street, and of the Charitable Infirmary on the Inn's Quay." Shortly thereafter, a second letter arrived from a wealthy but somewhat eccentric English Land owner named Charles Jennens. He quickly opened the letter. Jennens had written some lyrics for him in the past. To his amazement the letter was a compilation of Old Testament and New Testament scripture passages. Handel read the words again and again. He was greatly moved and felt impressed to put the words to music. Handel locked himself in his study and within 3 weeks finished "The Messiah." The first presentation of Messiah was a charitable benefit. When Handel died, now wealthy from his success, he left the score of Messiah to a public hospital where it supported the care of the poor and the sick. Charles Burney, 18th century music historian, remarked that Handel's Messiah "fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and fostered the orphan." I challenge you to find a way to use your talents, as Handel did, to be a blessing to others.