Christmas

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Adam C. English. Christmas

CHRISTMAS

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Santa Claus in Bethlehem

Instigating Word

The Breath of Heaven

On This Day

The Rule of Bedlam

Charting Stars

Jesus the Migrant

Saints of the Season

Works Cited

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Theological Anticipations

by Adam C. English

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Having considered faith and hope, we now turn to love. The conviction that we are people of the Word means that we are committed to words of love and works of love. Words and works must always link arms; words are deemed lovely only if attended by works and works commend themselves to love by way of words. And so we return for a third time to the history of Christmastime revelry and make a circuitous route to Christian love by way of wassailing. The word wassail means more than a hot drink of spiced ale; it derives from the Anglo-Saxon expression for good health. It is to drink to someone’s health and well-being. The practice provided a way of cheering good friends and honoring good neighbors. Singing accompanied wassailing. Perhaps the oldest vernacular Christmas carol preserved for us dates to the thirteenth century, the Anglo-Norman Seignors, ore entendez à nus. To our blushing chagrin and consternation the carol says nothing of religion but instead sings of strong drink and tipsy companions.

Lords, by Noël and the host

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