Crowd shot masthead ApologetiX Logo Keith Haynie plays bassBill Hubauer plays lead guitarJ. Jackson sings leadJimmy Vegas Tanner plays drums

What's the story behind Handheld Messiah?

Most people have heard (or heard of) Handel's Messiah, an oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, with biblical lyrics by Charles Jennens. It's one of the most-famous and best-loved musical works in history. But its initial public reception was rather modest.

The handheld Messiah, Jesus, also got a rather modest reception when He first appeared in public, but would go on to become the most-famous and best-loved miracle worker in history. And so much more. Prophet. Priest. Savior. King of Kings. Lord of Lords.

Of course, Jesus existed long before He was born to the Virgin Mary in the manger:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)

In the last book of the Bible, it calls Jesus "the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Even in the first book, God foretold and foreshadowed His coming numerous times, as early as Genesis 3:15. Those signs and prophecies continued throughout the Old Testament.

The Messiah was no afterthought. And He didn't stay a baby, either. We can't hold Him in our hands anymore. But now no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). With this CD, we celebrate His birth, His death, His resurrection, and His second coming.