We're shutting down for a few days, but will be back, probably some time around the New Year.
Having played one several times in primary school nativities, I have always strongly identified with those "certain poor shepherds", watching flocks or washing socks by night, depending on which authority you follow, to whom the angelic Annunciation is made. What a story, and what a night to remember, though I imagine the poor guys had trouble getting anyone to believe them... No, really!
Talking of authorities, it seems the exact wording of the angelic message as recorded in Luke's gospel is disputed, and hangs on a single Greek letter. I'm surprised either angels or shepherds spoke Greek, but there we are. Pedantry aside, I think I much prefer the (possibly) erroneous version, familiar from the King James Bible: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". I'm never sure why supreme beings seem to have such a need for praise, worship, exclusivity contracts, etc., but some of that peace and good will would go a very long way just now.
To all readers of this blog, may I wish you the very best for 2015! Special thanks to those of you who have taken the trouble to comment, on or off blog: it's very much appreciated.
2 comments:
Thanks to you, Mike. Merry Christmas and thanks for a remarkable and creative year, your posts are hugely appreciated.
Two further tellings of the Annunciation you might like, rendered in traditional song from Voices at the Door, starting about 35mins into tonight's Folk Show on R2:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vcyz8
Happy Xmas!
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