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The Myth of Christmas

In the season of Advent, Mark Tully asks what we can learn from the stories of Christmas as we prepare for an increasingly secular holiday.

In the season of Advent, Mark Tully asks what we can learn from the stories of Christmas as we prepare for an increasingly secular holiday.

Many of those who will crowd into Churches for Midnight Mass or other services at Christmas will find it difficult to believe the gospel stories literally or to accept the traditional view of Jesus as God come down to earth. But they might well be so moved by the liturgy, the carols, their memories of Christmas past, the sense that this is one day when the world does stop that they wish they could find some meaning in the Christmas story. Mark Tully explores the idea that regarding the story as myth can give meaning to Christmas without belief in the traditional Christology.

A Unique Broadcasting Company production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Dec 2021 23:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Morten Lauridsen

    O Magnum Mysterium

    Performer: Voces 8.
    • Eventide (Deluxe Version).
    • Decca.

  • Arnold Schoenberg

    Weihnachtsmusik

    Performer: Taverner Players, Andrew Parrott.
    • Centuries of Seasonal Music.
    • Virgin Classics.

  • Gerald Finzi

    A Frosty Christmas Eve

    Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orch, Donald Sweeney.
    • Christmas Fantasy.
    • Decca.

  • The Rahbani Brothers

    Talj Talj

    Performer: Fairuz.
    • Taranim Eid El Milad.
    • Taranim.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Christmas Oratorio BMV248, Cantata 2: Chorus: “Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe”

    Performer: Barbara Schlick, Michael Chance, Etc.; Philippe Herreweghe: Collegium Vocale Gent & Orchestra.
    • J.S. Bach: Weihnachts-Oratorium.
    • EMI.

  • Greg Lake

    I Believe In Father Christmas

    • ItΒ’s Christmas.
    • EMI.

Readings

Title: Chrismas DayΒ 

Author: Daniel P Stokes

Published by: Peterloo Poets


Title: Father Christmas ExecutedΒ 

Author: Anonymous

Published by: Clarendon Press


Title: Towcester Bells Β 

Author: Simon Curtis

Published by: Peterloo Poets


Title: The Golden Birth Forseen Β 

Author: Virgil trans. Dryden

Published by: Weidenfeld & Nicolson


Title: Credo Β 

Author: Anthony Thwaite

Published by: Β Enitharmon Press


Title: The Golden Birth Forseen Β 

Author: Virgil trans. Dryden

Published by: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Broadcasts

  • Sun 13 Dec 2015 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 13 Dec 2015 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 19 Dec 2021 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Sun 19 Dec 2021 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4