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Views from the Choir Loft

Not One of Aesop’s Fables

Fr. David Friel · December 6, 2015

OTS OF THE STORIES we remember from childhood have a stock beginning. They often start out, “Once upon a time.” That’s quite different from the opening line of St. Luke’s narrative about John the Baptist:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.

What’s the point of a story that starts out like that? It’s tempting to ask who cares about all that. I believe, though, that the point isn’t so much about any of these tetrarchs or high priests, themselves.

The point is that Jesus is real. Jesus isn’t made up. The Christmas story isn’t just a fairy tale we read to children. It’s not one of Aesop’s fables. Christmas actually happened. Jesus was actually born on Earth.

When? “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee.”

Where? In Bethlehem of Judea.

Who were His parents? A young woman named Mary and a man named Joseph.

This isn’t all just “based on a true story.” It actually happened! This is the point that St. Luke makes so pointedly at the outset of his story about John the Baptist.

Some of our most beloved stories are associated with Christmas: The Polar Express, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas, etc. But the story of how Jesus was born in a stable outside of Bethlehem is not just another story among all these others. It’s the real deal.

In our Advent meditations, let’s not romanticize the Nativity of Our Lord too much. After all, we’re not preparing to retell a cherished fairy tale from our youth. We’re preparing to enter into the timeless reality of the Christmas mystery.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The ratio of voices in modern choirs is usually wrong. Basses should be numerically greatest, then altos, then tenors, then sopranos. One good soprano can carry a high “A” against 30 lower voices.

— Roger Wagner

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