Its a favourite of mine. I heard my brother in law sing in his choir at the Albert Hall in London two years ago. I was at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, to hear a couple years ago year. A friend's local choir sing parts of the Messiah every Christmas concert. None of those things are happening this year.
The standing custom as started by the King has happened at every concert I've been at.
I was listening to my recording yesterday whilst making mince pies. The lump in the throat is too often present in the build up and preps for this Christmas. Two years ago, we hosted 17 - this year, it will be the two of us - ah well, we are fortunate, our loved ones so far have escaped this virus, we are comfortable our home and our children and grandchildren are safe and spending Christmas Day together. We will walk down and have a cup of tea under their gazebo and hope for a better 2021