to end a hectic day: Lessons and Carols. Pure Anglican schlock, I know, but it
is peaceful to hear the Words of God and sing the music of the season and listen to the choirs and school children. Lessons and Carols is a joint-service between St. Paul's and Trinity. Pastor Curtis mentioned to me how fine the children are singing since we began assigning a "hymn of the month" and they truly are. And you should hear them sing Matins!
The thing about Anglican schlock is that Anglicans start off with such good taste that even their schmaltz ends up beating the pants off a lot of other stuff.
ReplyDeleteNow if they could just get their theology right...
... well, speaking of their theology, even their carols seem to beat the pants off the kind of theology we're so accustomed to abiding around here.
ReplyDelete"Anglican schlock" - yes, that's pretty much what it is.
ReplyDeleteYet recognizing that, I also recognize that there's a certain part of me that really likes it, in all of it's pretentiousness.
Pastor Eckardt - only the old stuff! My husband and I listen to Choral Evensong on the BBC, and the music - stunning! But we always pray we never accidentally hear any of the sermons, and we nearly have to shut off the broadcast when they get to the prayers at the end. ::shudder::
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm confused. According to Merriam-Webster online, "schlock" is "of low quality or value." How does Lessons and Carols fit that definition? I understand it to be a service in which salvation history is narrated through a series of Bible readings punctuated by musical commentary on those readings. Why is that schlocky?
ReplyDeleteOne of our family's Christmas traditions is listening to the Kings College live broadcast of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve morning. I wouldn't miss it for anything. We do our own Lessons and Carols at church on Christmas Eve. Does that mean we are engaging in something of low quality and value?
Please enlighten me, Pastor! What am I missing here?
I share Carol's confusion. Are you quickly dismissing "Lessons and Carols" as "schlock" simply because it is not in the approved hymnal?
ReplyDeleteI meant that the beauty of the liturgy pales in comparison to the Church's own Daily Office orders or above all the Eucharist, where we not only sing about this Child, but greet and welcome Him.
ReplyDeleteAh, I understand. Thank you, Pastor. (I still don't think I would use the word "schlock"--but that's just me! :-))
ReplyDelete