Poll: The most theologically inept carol?
Dec 23rd, 2007
In a bar humbug kind of mood, thought I’d see which carols irritate you the most (from a theological perspective)? The list could be huge so if you have others you’d like to vote on that are not here, leave a comment and I’ll consider adding it.
You’ll find words to all carols at the Christmas Carols web site.
Loading ...
Oh dear. If I had time to study this list, I would for sure vote. But count me in as one who gets slightly upset by Christmas carols that are blatantly theologically “out for lunch”.
I’d have to vote for Away in the Manger–only because when my son was 3, I had to sing all three verses every night from Christmas until June.
No more, I say! This nonsense must stop! I’ll object to that carol for any reason at all.
Great collection! Given that to my knowledge deck the halls doesn’t even attempt any theology, I’m ignoring that one. The holly and the ivy is the one our Churches Together services are using for candle lighting this year - so in some versions is makes for good liturgy (’and one for is for God’s people… etc’). Away in a manger I don’t like, but as I’ve posted elsewhere, has its place. Ding dong merrily - well, I don’t like it but at least it relates to the biblical narrative to some degree.
So, my vote has to go for… I saw three ships… just what is that about? Living in landlocked Leicestershire it would be an impossiblity even if theolgoically competent which, so far as I can see, it isn’t.
So there you have it! Have a great Christmas whatever you sing.
I’m not sure why I chose these 5, and would willingly add others. I guess on first glance, all but Away in the Manger seem to have little do with God entering our world. Though if you dig a bit you can find it in some of them! I must admit Away in a Manger, while being overtly about the Christmas story, creates a saviour that doesn’t cry and I have never forgotten one of our lecturers at college pulling that idea to pieces.
I Saw Three Ships is quite an old carol. In the original version the Three Ships were the ones taking skulls of the wise men to Cologne cathedral in Germany! Apparently!
‘hmmm ‘Away with the manger’ I reckon is the best on your list but how about ‘Hark the angels sing’ with that fantastic 1st verse line ‘God and sinners reconciled’, this is whar Christmas is all about.
In the week before Christmas after presenting an assembly to Yr 2, being the bird brain that I am I asked the children ‘What was special about Chrsitmas?’ , already being 5 mins late for an RE lesson my heart sank when one of the ‘more interesting’ children put her hand up. However her answer will remain with me and used.
‘Chritmas is so special because Jesus, before he left heaven to be a man just like one of us knew that he he was going to die horrribly for each one of us for no other reason except that he loves us.
May you also know the reality of Jesus
S
Nice list. I’ve always wondered about the meaning of “I Saw Three Ships”. The words get around to mentioning the Christmas story, but I don’t understand the premise. I guess there must be more to the story, but since we don’t have it, we’re left guessing. Just googled the lyrics…I’m still confused.
I went for Deck the Halls, mainly because I think it’s about Christmas as a time of year, rather than a Christian festival.
I think “I Saw 3 Ships” is about “ships of the desert” ie - camels, with 3 kings upon them. (I know - theologically inaccurate, but about Christmas all the same).
Away in a Manger is vaguely about the birth of Christ, so it just about passes muster.
Ding Dong Merrily is a tribute to the song of the Angels to the shepherds, although it’s borderline too
The Holly and the Ivy, if you read the full version, has plenty of good theological stuff about the life and death of Christ - it’s one of the few carols that actually mention Easter too!
I have to say, I voted for I saw three ships, but my finger hovered for quite a while. Being the mother of 3 sons, I laugh out loud where it says Jesus awakes and no crying he makes!!! The other classic carol line that makes me want to laugh out loud is ‘How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given’ from O little Town of Bethlehem (otherwise that is a lovely carol!)
O little town was written by a Baptists minister while staying in Bethlehem. I think the silently refers to the way in which Jesus kind of slips into our world unnoticed.