The Archbishop of Canterbury has written an Advent message for Radio Times magazine.
Ann Fontaine comments on the Archbishop’s article for Episcopal Café: ABC and nativity scenes.
Esther Addley writes for The Guardian: Faithful or not, all can rejoice in carols: hymns drenched in our folk memory. “It’s entirely right that Christmas carols rouse non-believers’ spirits too, given the original, and radical, meaning of many.”
Giles Fraser writes in the Church Times that Revelations can bring redemption.
And at Comment is free belief he writes about The cringe at the heart of Christmas. “The idea of God as a little baby is one of the most disruptive theological suggestions ever made.”
Mark Driscoll writes for The Washington Post about What we tell our kids about Santa.
This week’s The Question at Comment is free belief is What is the future of preaching? There are responses from Tehmina Kazi, Simon Jenkins and Alan Wilson.
Giles’ article reminds me of the words from a rather lovely hymn which tries to express the inexpressible, usually sung at Candlemas:- O wonder of wonders, which none can unfold: the Ancient of days is an hour or two old; the Maker of all things is made of the earth, man is worshiped by angels and God comes to birth: and this verse which is omitted (suppressed?) in the New English Hymnal:- The Word in the bliss of the Godhead remains, yet in flesh comes to suffer the keenest of pains; he is that he was and for ever shall… Read more »
“While Shepherds Washed Their Socks By Night”, LOL When I was a kid, there also floated around the schoolyard something about the Three Oriental kings and exploding cigars. But, on a truly serious note, I have been in various school, amateur, and church choirs since I was in Jr. High School. Even though I’m Jewish, I adore and revere Christmas carols, both sacred and secular. I realize that for Christians, the words are important, but the underlying message of carols, of peace, the common humanity of us all, God’s love, of family, etc. really speaks to me. My absolute favorite… Read more »
“I spoke of the infinite mercy of God, the dignity and equality of all people in the kingdom, Jesus’s blessing, a vision of love as strong as death, and good news preached to the poor.” Bishop Alan Wilson’s words here, from his sermon to a crowd in India, sound remarkably like what I remember of the Good News of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. One hope’s the Tagalog translator got the message across. There are too many people in today’s world who do not hear the message of God’s love for all his human children – even women… Read more »
Hey peterpi, “Grandma got run over by a Reindeer” is one of my secret pleasures as well!
“Jingle Bells, Santa Smells, Easter’s on it’s way, oh what fun is to ride in a beat-up Chevrolet, HEY!”