George Frederick Handel's great Christmas oratorio, The Messiah, was first performed in 1742, in:

Handel (1685-1759) seems to have been a kind and generous man.  The Messiah was written for the benefit of charities in Ireland, and was a success at its original performance, though it was not immediately popular in England.  Handel's favorite charity in London was the Foundling Hospital.  He conducted performances of The Messiah there until 1754.