Church of England Targets Traditional Carols

First of all, let’s find one thing clear: Christmas is not over. My neighborhood grocery store was now tearing down the trip objects and setting up for Valentine’s Day on December 23 because I am aware that many people are beginning the de-Christmasization of their homes. &nbsp,

However, physically Christmas officially begins on December 25 despite the custom that retail and Instagram influencers place it there right after back-to-school income. It does not stop until Epiphany. But leave that tree where it is, cooked some more chestnut, and pour yourself a second glass of whatever beverage you’d prefer. There is still something to celebrate. &nbsp,

As an ex-Episcopalian, I am fond of saying that if you really want to do Easter/Pascha correctly, you need to be Catholic, but if you want to perform Christmas right, you need to be Anglican. Of course,” Anglican” may be too strong a word. Given the Church of England’s death spiral into all things DEI ( along with the government ), a flat tire on a February night in city Duluth, Minn., is definitely more colorful than anything the COE is doing, yet when it comes to Christmas.

Writing for the Telegraph, Celia Walden notes that as Advent got underway, priests in England began to receive emails” suggesting” that the musical selections for the various services be altered so as to be more inclusive. For example,” O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was seen as potentially problematic because it suggests that non-Christian faiths may be “outside of God’s grace” .&nbsp,

Also on this year’s naughty list was” Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”. The second verse of that song contains words that assert that Christ is the real Messiah, which was the issue with that song. What were their expectations for churches? Have everyone sung” Jingle Bell Rock” while circling with their dimly lit hand-held candles?

Now, I don’t like flaunting my fancy seminary education, but I think I’m on pretty safe ground here when I say that those two sentiments are central tenets of Christianity. In fact, it has been that way for years. A lot of years. It is absurd to think that Christians should not practice their faith in isolation. A Jew or Muslim is just as convinced as any other Christian that their religions are true. No one is suggesting that Muslims should alter any aspects of Islam to lessen their sense of self-consciousness. &nbsp,

Walden reported that a letter sent to the Birmingham diocese for clergy was intended to use the phrase” Try to use language that won’t add further confusion or tension or take away anything from the good news of the Nativity.” I’ll take the risk and say that the birth of the savior of mankind is the reason we celebrate Christmas, even though I’m going out on a limb here. That is the good news of the Nativity. I mean, Christ is right there in the name. &nbsp,

Seeker-sensitive churches have been one of the issues that have plagued the evangelical movement. These churches have a nearly nervous avoidance of sin and the Gospel because they may not offer visitors a suitable case of” the feels” Instead, churchgoers are treated to light shows, rock bands, circus performers, and who knows what else to keep them coming back for a good time. &nbsp,

The idea is that osmosis or some other method will eventually allow the Gospel to reach these people. By contrast, the Church of England doesn’t even seem interested in presenting the Gospel through anything, up to and including osmosis. It almost seems as though the church wants to ensure that Christ is not present. And that might be the point, given the current tenor of things in the United Kingdom.

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