I'm on my feet now, as the Messiah Oratorio has reached the climax of the "Hallelujah" chorus. I think this is my favorite Christmas song…EVER.

It inspires awe and gives me a glimpse of what is but a poor imitation of what heaven's chorus of angels might sound like. I imagine what Handel might have struggled with to put the glory of the Lord down in a temporal version of 4 bars and harmonic strains.

There is nothing that makes me think of Shekinah--the presence of God--more than that chorus. Having also been in the chorale singing the tenor line, I found it such a moving experience of worship that my throat closed up because I was overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God at that moment.

I'm not the only one, either. Tradition has it that in the courtly display of due respect, the custom called for people to stand whenever royalty stood, including their entry and exit. When the Hallelujah Chorus proclaims Jesus' entry into the physical world, King George II was inspired to stand to recognize the presence of Royalty. That, of course, required everyone attending the concert to stand as well, and it became the custom ever since.

That public display of respect has me equally verklempt. Even though most people don't know why they're showing deference, I do, and it's an act of worship for me. I grew up waking up to the messiah oratorio on Christmas morning…these days, it just isn't Christmas without it.