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Archive
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| Religious Roots, Secular Rituals and Enduring Myths of the Christmas Holiday |
| December 22, 2022 |
We listen to Handel's Messiah and explore its deep religious meaning. Then we learn how non-Christians find spiritual meaning during the Christmas season. Finally, the real story behind St. Nicholas of Myra, AKA Santa Claus. |
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| A Story Set to Sound –George Frideric Handel’s "Messiah" |
December 22, 2022 |
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Ellen Harris, a professor of music Emeritus at MIT and author of George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends talks with Interfaith Voices founder Maureen Fielder about the backstory of one of the most performed Christmas chorals this time of year. The 18th-century oratorio may be best known for the 'Hallelujah' chorus but what might surprise many – the words are taken from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, covering the entire story arc of Jesus as the Christian savior. (First broadcast in 2011)
Ellen Harris, a professor of music Emeritus at MIT, former president of the American Musicological Society, and author of George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends
The final bars of the "Hallelujah" chorus, from Handel's manuscript.
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| A Secular But Spiritual Christmas? |
December 23, 2022 |
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Amanda Poppei sees many ways for the secular and nonreligious to engage in rituals filled with meaning and spirituality in the midst of a Christian holiday. She is not alone. Of the 90% of Americans who celebrate Christmas, only 46% of Americans say that they consider it to be a religious holiday. As the religious significance diminishes, does it also lose its deeper meaning? Poppei, who led the Washington Ethical Society for a decade, shares her thoughts with producer Melissa Feito. (First broadcast in 2018)
Amanda Poppei, At the time of this interview, senior leader of the Washington Ethical Society. She now serves as Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Virginia. |
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| Ol' Saint Nick: Sorting Truth from Myth |
December 23, 2022 |
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Adam English set out to piece together some history to discover how a man from the third century got an unexpected makeover 1600 years later. A professor of philosophy and the history of Christian theology found some answers. His 2012 book The Saint Who Would be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra was published by Baylor University details how the man evolved into the myth known as Santa. From the archives, we dust off this timely conversation between Interfaith Voices founder Maureen Fiedler and Adam English who now serves as the Chair of Christian Studies at Campbell University in North Carolina. (First broadcast in 2012)
Adam English, author of The Saint Who Would be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra.
A longer version of this interview can be found in our archives.
This week's show will not be available on the podcast feed. |
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