A local church in Far Rockaway is hosting a festive holiday sing-along this weekend, just in time for Christmas.
The Far Rockaway Community Church of the Nazarene is presenting Handel’s Messiah and Christmas carol sing-along at their church, located at 14-14 Central Avene. The Central Presbyterian Church of NY Choir will be in Far Rockaway for the first time for the annual performance that captivates audiences across New York City.
The event will start at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec 15. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Head Pastor Reverend Dr. Les Mullings told QNS that Far Rockaway locals are excited about the timeless performance. “We’re especially excited to host it this year at our church, and we look forward to having the entire community come out. Elected officials, community leaders, children, and parents are just having fun and listening to Christmas carols and the premiere of Handel’s,” he said.
Mullings shared that Handel’s Messiah is a centuries-long musical tradition that allows Christians to feel closer to their faith as Christmas approaches, which signifies Christ’s birth.
“Handel’s Messiah is something that every person… looks forward to. It lifts our spirits for the season and transforms the dynamics of faith, community, and the overall atmosphere,” Mullings said. He added that music is a universal language that transcends all backgrounds.
Mullings explained that for Christians, Handel’s Messiah has deep historical significance and is a timely performance for the current state of the world. “Ever since the premiere 282 years ago, it is timeless. It is something that reminds us, predicts, and projects—actually, the crucifixion of Christ is symbolic of Handel’s Messiah. In a time as this, where secular culture has hardened many hearts, we aim to reunite our spirits with the gospel of Christ,” he said. “It reminds everyone of the powerful faith and love God bestowed through Handel’s Messiah.”
Handel’s Messiah is a famous English-language score composed by German-British composer George Frideric Handel in 1741. It is an English-language oratorio of the story of Jesus Christ that dates back to 1741. First performed in Dublin in 1742, Messiah has become one of the most well-known and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music, with the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus being one of the most universally known parts of Messiah.
