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Verse:After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” —Revelation 19:1, NIV
December 2020 was the worst holiday season of my life.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most activities were canceled.
No extended family party. No school parties.
No church parties. No in-person Christmas programs.
One of the biggest disappointments was that there would not be a sing-along Handel’s Messiah. I looked forward to this each year.
Around November, I would get out my score and start practicing my alto part. I would listen to alto soloists sing the popular choruses on YouTube in anticipation of that glorious evening when I would join fellow choristers and sing excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, especially the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Some years, I would even get to go to two of these special programs. But not this year. This year, my immediate family was recovering from having COVID-19. My mom had it really bad. She usually enjoyed going Christmas shopping with me. But not this year. My brother, who usually has a big appetite and enjoys my special Christmas meals, could barely get out of bed, let alone eat anything.
I was feeling quite blue, especially because I was the one who had the virus first and gave it to them. Then, when I was driving one day, I heard the “Hallelujah Chorus” on the radio. I started to sing along. I started feebly and then boldly began to belt out the notes. Tears began to stream down my face as I thought of what the words really meant. “And He shall reign forever and ever... Hallelujah.” Wow, that sunk in more than ever this time! That means that one glorious day, there will be no more COVID-19, no more death, no more masks, no more canceled events.
All the saints will sing together in harmony on that great and beautiful day. It helped to put things into perspective. I reflected on the year 2020 and what I had missed out on as a result of the pandemic —mission trips, camp meetings, attending meetings, prayer retreats, and women’s retreats. However, I sure don’t want to miss out on the biggest event ever and on singing that hallelujah chorus in the sky! Won’t you join me on that day? I pray that I will meet you there.
Mary C. D. Johnson