A friend and former student, Katy Cummings, writes with some thoughts on how to take Christmas music back from the sentimentalists. The rest of this post is from Katy.
Part of the problem with Christmas carols is that, as the kerygma of Linus has testified, Luke 2 has become the only Christmas lesson. Without priestly and prophetic pillars to hold him up (Isaiah 9 and Titus 2 in the Revised Common Lectionary), Luke’s arms are getting tired. Further, the lectionary keeps us moving along. Rather than letting us stay in one small selection from Luke until we have worn out our welcome, the BCP lectionary would propel us to Acts 7 on the 26th and to John 23 and Revelation 1 on the 27th. Without the aid of a lectionary, we run the risk of distorting the meaning of Scripture, and our hymns suffer.
It is true that not even an apostrophe could redeem “oped” but fortunately we have other options.
Once upon a time there were men who had the Magnificat and the Benedictus and the Nunc Dimittis seeping out their fingertips. And they wrote some beautiful hymns- books and books full in fact. For some saints December 25 has been a day of “Give ear O Shepherd of Israel” and “The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God” and “Your Lips Have Been Anointed with Grace.” For some Christmas has been a season of bloodshed (three martyr days plus the Feast of Circumcision). In this biblical context political themes, Israelite redemption, and the fulfillment of Advent longings are unavoidable. And there are many hymns to prove it.
In our home from the first O Sapientia (December 17) through Why Impious Herod (January 6) we instinctively reach for our Liber Usualis and its Cowperized, Blakeified stepchild the English Hymnal . At least two of these hymns ( From East to West and Of the Father’s Love Begotten ) are available in the Cantus Christi . But many more await rediscovery.
NT Wright may have stolen Christmas. But maybe if we find our lectionary and dust it off he will let us have it back again with just a snick in our neck. Venite adoremus.
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