The Nativity scene will stand the test of time I reckon. My cousin is an atheist, yet every year, he gets his Nativity scene out of storage and puts it on display. I get it. The Nativity is soothing, at least it is for me. There's a calmness to it. It's hard to explain in words. It gives me a feeling of contentment and that is all I can say about it.
After reading James Taffe’s Christmas with the Tudors it seems that a lot of our modern holiday traditions have endured all these years. I think the nativity will stand the test of time as well.
It’s wild that schools in the UK put on a nativity play. Our schools are secular (for now), right down to musical “winter concerts” with songs about hot chocolate instead of carols.
Cheer up, it’s the most wonderful time of the year 🎄
Since the beginning of December I have been dodging the Christmas blues, the memories of my childhood and the absence of many people I loved.... but this post has broken down my defences.
I hear you. My mother passed away almost 4 years ago. I try to remember the happy times. Putting up the tree. Trying to stop our cat using it as a litter tray. The excitement on Christmas Eve. Try and remember the good times, those memories are precious.
When I got married 15 years ago, my grandmother gave me a beautiful Christmas tree as a wedding present. Nobody understood why she did it, but it was very clear to me. For 15 years now, in every city I visit for pleasure or for work, I buy an ornament and then put it on the tree. There are also figures of my daughters' favourite characters, and ornaments given to me by family and friends ... that Christmas tree tells an important part of the story of my life.
As a cradle Presbyterian, and mother of a son on Christian school, I've watched in horror as the Nativity play has disappeared. I get the impression that the miraculous and humble birth of Christ has been ditched in favor of pretty carols and fellowship events. As I get older, I am increasingly drawn to the traditional Catholic mass. There's something so timeless about it. It's soothing to know that countless generations before me have worshipped the same Jesus in a quite similar manner, sang the same hymns, prayed the same prayers. The Nativity play is part of that tradition and I mourn it's demise.
It is so easy to love ever word you write and your gifts are so gratefully sought after as we trust in you!
Thank you for reminding us that it is good to be human though this year, once again, we have been presented with enough bad behavior to momentarily think we have had enough NONSENSE ! Hang it up! It isn’t worth the effort. But you bring us back from all that with some new possibilities and on we go being glad we are part of life after all! The one percenters who will keep us alive for a bit longer feasting on hope❣️
So, per one of your earlier posts, we will need to see which lasts longer: a) nativity scenes or b) St. Francis’ actual robe of undyed wool that you saw this summer in the National Gallery. It might be a close competition.
This is what I love best about this newsletter… you make the Middle Ages relevant to today.
The Nativity scene will stand the test of time I reckon. My cousin is an atheist, yet every year, he gets his Nativity scene out of storage and puts it on display. I get it. The Nativity is soothing, at least it is for me. There's a calmness to it. It's hard to explain in words. It gives me a feeling of contentment and that is all I can say about it.
After reading James Taffe’s Christmas with the Tudors it seems that a lot of our modern holiday traditions have endured all these years. I think the nativity will stand the test of time as well.
It’s wild that schools in the UK put on a nativity play. Our schools are secular (for now), right down to musical “winter concerts” with songs about hot chocolate instead of carols.
Cheer up, it’s the most wonderful time of the year 🎄
Since the beginning of December I have been dodging the Christmas blues, the memories of my childhood and the absence of many people I loved.... but this post has broken down my defences.
I hear you. My mother passed away almost 4 years ago. I try to remember the happy times. Putting up the tree. Trying to stop our cat using it as a litter tray. The excitement on Christmas Eve. Try and remember the good times, those memories are precious.
When I got married 15 years ago, my grandmother gave me a beautiful Christmas tree as a wedding present. Nobody understood why she did it, but it was very clear to me. For 15 years now, in every city I visit for pleasure or for work, I buy an ornament and then put it on the tree. There are also figures of my daughters' favourite characters, and ornaments given to me by family and friends ... that Christmas tree tells an important part of the story of my life.
As a cradle Presbyterian, and mother of a son on Christian school, I've watched in horror as the Nativity play has disappeared. I get the impression that the miraculous and humble birth of Christ has been ditched in favor of pretty carols and fellowship events. As I get older, I am increasingly drawn to the traditional Catholic mass. There's something so timeless about it. It's soothing to know that countless generations before me have worshipped the same Jesus in a quite similar manner, sang the same hymns, prayed the same prayers. The Nativity play is part of that tradition and I mourn it's demise.
Thanks so much for this! This is why you're my favorite. I look so forward to these little amazing nuggets of history 🥰
An alien! So hilarious! I’m a cradle Episcopalian and appreciate this greatly💙
It is so easy to love ever word you write and your gifts are so gratefully sought after as we trust in you!
Thank you for reminding us that it is good to be human though this year, once again, we have been presented with enough bad behavior to momentarily think we have had enough NONSENSE ! Hang it up! It isn’t worth the effort. But you bring us back from all that with some new possibilities and on we go being glad we are part of life after all! The one percenters who will keep us alive for a bit longer feasting on hope❣️
Dear Dan,
So, per one of your earlier posts, we will need to see which lasts longer: a) nativity scenes or b) St. Francis’ actual robe of undyed wool that you saw this summer in the National Gallery. It might be a close competition.
This is what I love best about this newsletter… you make the Middle Ages relevant to today.
Happy holidays to you and all of your readers!
I just love that every day is a school day - and double bonus …I’m a St Francis fan
Amazing narrative thank you