What’s Wrong with “Away in a Manger”? Unbelievable Christmas Bonus with N. T. Wright

Key takeaways

Christmas carols can reflect deep theological truths or lead to misleading beliefs.
It's important to critically engage with the lyrics sung in Christmas hymns.
Hymns shape believers' understanding of core Christian doctrines and should be approached with thoughtfulness.
Congregations can adapt hymns to better align with current biblical interpretations.
Celebrating Christmas involves joy, tradition, and thoughtful theological reflection.

Summary

Christmas Carols and Theological Reflections

In this festive episode, Mike Bird and Tom Wright dive into the theology embedded within popular Christmas hymns. They consider how songs like 'O Come All Ye Faithful' encapsulate the Christian belief in the incarnation, while others, such as 'Away in a Manger', may convey problematic theological ideas. They emphasize that while these carols can be uplifting, it’s crucial to critically engage with the lyrics.

The Role of Theology in Hymns

Tom Wright explains that Christmas hymns serve as educational tools, shaping believers’ understanding of essential theological concepts. He discusses the problematic lines in some carols which may mislead worshippers or present an overly simplistic or heretical perspective, urging listeners to reconsider the messages conveyed through song. Tom advocates for a more thoughtful approach to the lyrics we sing.

Encouraging Critical Engagement

The conversation encourages listeners to participate actively in the hymnal tradition by questioning and discussing the lyrics. Instead of merely accepting what has been sung for generations, Mike and Tom urge a careful examination of how these hymns reflect or distort biblical truths. They suggest that congregations can adapt and update hymns, ensuring they align with modern theological understanding.

Celebrating Christmas with Thoughtfulness

Despite the critical analysis of some hymns, both Mike and Tom express their ongoing love for Christmas carols. They highlight the joy of Advent while emphasizing the need to ground our celebrations in the richness of biblical theology, balancing joyous tradition with a thoughtful examination of what is truly being expressed in the hymns.

Show notes

Bad theology, great tunes - who cares? We bring you the truth about Christmas carols in this festive bonus from Ask NT Wright Anything, theologian Tom Wright and host Mike Bird take a playful yet thoughtful look at our favourite (and not-so-favourite) Christmas hymns. Many people love singing carols even if they’re unsure what they believe, but are some beloved hymns actually theologically misleading?

Recorded during Advent in London, this conversation explores which carols richly express the biblical meaning of Christmas and which may drift into sentimentality, confusion, or even quiet heresy. From the beauty of O Come All Ye Faithful to the problems lurking in Away in a Manger, Tom explains why words matter and how hymns shape what Christians believe about incarnation, salvation, and the future hope of God’s new creation.

A festive and surprising Christmas treat, rather like Christmas pudding!

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