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Happy holidays from everyone at Here and Now. We love that you're making us part of the season, and we're making you part of ours. We've got new episodes for you every day through the end of the year and into 2025, of course. So if you like what you're hearing, spread the word about here and now anytime, along with your holiday cheer. And thanks for listening. Now here's the show.

It was the day before Christmas, and today on the show,

in the podcast studio, the on-air light is a glow.

The segments were booked by producers with care,

in hopes that our podcast soon would be there.

Editors were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Murrows danced in their heads.

And Robin in Boston, and I at my home, had recorded enough to fill an audio tone.

Today we bring you three stories that clatter, conversations on music, and why it should matter.

First, to this convo, we fly like a flash.

Scott Tong opens shutters and throws up the sash.

This is the state of a challenged world.

Loneliness is rampant, as are racial crimes.

The media is full of hate.

And to make things worse, half the country thinks the leader is illegitimate.

So wait, why are we playing this old music?

Because we're talking about 1741 England,

when an aging composer named George Friedrich Handel puts out a piece thrown together in a hurry called Messiah.

Yeah, more than 280 years on,

it is among the most performed, most attended classical works ever.

And a new book gives a fascinating backstory,

...