...and we're back. Christmas TV Worship

Again, I apologise for being late in posting. My little paws are currently covered in dried ink, having had a lot of writing to do over Christmas for other people. I hope I can share it with you someday.

Having been busy, I missed quite a bit of the television coverage for choral music over Christmas - apparently there was quite a bit of it. I managed to catch a few minutes of the John Rutter-thon that the BBC did. Wasn't really sure what to make of it to be honest - was it a "look, it's Rutter!" feature, or was it meant to be the Christmas story told through Rutter carols?

I did, however manage to get to watch in greater depth the services the BBC broadcast (not live, as I was at Mass on Christmas Eve...more on that below). There was something a little odd about both Eve and Day services - strangely, I was more comfortable with Leeds (RC) Cathedral's Midnight than Mary Redcliffe's morning Eucharist.

I thought that Leeds' performance of the Vierne was a noble attempt - but (and I write this with caution), may not have been best for broadcast. I enjoy the Vierne - it's a great sing, and superb to hear, but was possible a little too adventurous - not saying it was the wrong choice, but I would have stayed on comfortable territory repertoire wise.

However, what Leeds did during the night was, liturgically and musically a great piece of television worship. Redcliffe the next morning was something that left a lot to be desired. I know there are in the midst of an interregnum (so, why did the Beeb go there when left leaderless?), but it was an act of worship that, whilst I'm sure great for some, left me cold. I won't bore you with the liturgical quandaries I noticed, but overall, it made me ask why we bother? Sure, it's great to feel like we're in an "average parish" for Christmas Morning TV Religion - but that wasn't it. It harked back to an age where worship was confined, and clergy (with greatest respect) felt that a B.Th from Bolton gave them a "better" view on liturgy than an F.R.C.O. In some cases, it might be true, but not in that Bristol broadcast. I do hope that the BBC look to better Anglican foundations next year - there are some gems, big and small, to pick from.