Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

This is one of the most beloved tenor arias from Handel's *Messiah*, drawing its text directly from the Book of Isaiah. It speaks of a world being prepared for the Lord's coming—a landscape where every valley is lifted up, mountains are brought low, and the rough, crooked paths are smoothed out. It is a song of divine preparation, carrying a profound sense of hope and anticipation.

In the context of worship, this piece is a magnificent choice for the Advent season, perfectly capturing the call to prepare the way of the Lord. The soaring, melismatic lines of the tenor solo vividly paint the imagery of the text, with the voice rising on "exalted" and winding through the "crooked" paths before settling into the "plain." For a choir or a soloist, it is a demanding but deeply rewarding piece that brings a touch of classical grandeur to the liturgy.