Mark is married to Jo and is a 23 year old youth and schools worker based in South Cave (near Hull). Mark spent 4 years as a youth worker in Peterborough whilst studying for a degree in youth work & ministry with Oasis.
So as Christmas approaches I felt a festive blog was in order…and with Rage against the machine currently winning the number 1 race (I wonder if the x factor release on Wednesday will change that?) I thought I’d do something on music!
On Thursday Jo and myself went to the Sheffield CU Carol concert and I was once again reminded of how ridiculous most carols are…they seem to be mostly made up of nonsense….and it’s riduclous…it’s about the only time of the year when church will allow stuff that almost contradicts the bible.
So here are some of the most ridiculous things from carols and a very very short rant!
One In Royal David’s City
And through all His wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey, Love and watch the lowly mother, in whose gentle arms He lay. Christian children all should be, mild, obedient, good as He’
Now I don’t think this is entirely accurate…firstly did Jesus not annoy his parents (Mary/Joseph) by staying in the temple? Secondly the last bit is complete and utter nonsense…it’s like a statement from Victorian England (and probably is!).
The First Nowell
And by te light of that same star, three wise men came from country far…
Then entered in those wise men three
Three? Where did three come from? I’m sure even one carol names them…the bible doesn’t give numbers or names when it came to wise men!
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given
Now I have never given birth or been with anyone as they’ve done so but I’m pretty sure that ‘wondrous gift’ was not given silently…in fact I’m pretty sure Mary let out a scream or two.
There’s plenty more nonsense in Christmas especially within the church including female angels, snow (in the bleak midwinter) and something about the little Lord Jesus not crying which I’m pretty sure he must have done at least once!
Part of the Sheffield CU Christmas Carol Concert included a traditional looking looking Christmas scene (done by students) followed by a herd of ‘modern Christmas people’ invading the scene with tinsel, turkey and santa…I’m not sure what they were trying to communicate because the only thing I got from it was ‘secular Christmas is more fun…don’t you think?’
Finally in my Christmas rant the speaker opened to 250 students by talking about Readers Digest…c’mon…know your audience!
does your last fm thing suggest you’ve been listening to babyhead or is it one of those things where the internet is psychic and knows what i like?
either way – hats off!
yes I have been listening to babyhead…they have a free EP on babyhead.bandcamp.com …I also finally got around to buying their album on amazon!