Category: Christmas

Christmas, The Incarnation

Stories of Christmas

Gary Furr

I am partial to storytelling and storytellers, since I am one. But in no place more than the birth story of Jesus does this reality hit home.  The more rational types are always trying to turn Christianity into a series of propositions which only succeeds in rendering the most thrilling narrative ever to grace a mind into propositions and abstractions that could be used as sleep aids. No, when God set out to save humanity in the Christian telling, it was in stories. The smallest elements of a story. There’s a subject. There is a verb. And you have a … Continue reading Stories of Christmas

Advent, Art, Christmas, Poetry, Writing

The Ringer

Gary Furr

A gyrating Salvation Army bellringer fresh off a successful run at Little Caesar’s sidewalk guards the doorway to the Stone Mountain Walmart He deftly dances and offers his extended hand with an underhand swoop. His lithe body in perfect unison with the music in his headphones, his beautiful brown face beaming with joy, In the parking lot, sedentary men in cars watch the show Glad for something interesting while waiting to ride up and pick up their mothers as they exit the store. A few annoyed shoppers avert their gaze but he pursues them. General Booth would never have imagined … Continue reading The Ringer

Art, Christianity, Death, death, Family, God, Grief, Holy Week, Jesus, Mother, Race, spirituality3 Comments

Mother and Son

Gary Furr

Jaroslav Pelikan’s marvelous book Jesus Through the Centuries takes a sojourn through the vast and complex history of the interpretations of Jesus.  Among the chapters is one entitled, “Christ Crucified,” in which he notes the disproportionate focus on Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in the gospel accounts.  By even the most “generous” reading, he notes, we have at most information about less than a hundred days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, but of the last few days we have an hour by hour account. Says Pelikan, “What was said of  the thane of Cawdor in MacBeth was true pre-eminently of Jesus: … Continue reading Mother and Son

Advent, Christianity, Christmas, Dr. Gary Furr & Friends, Faith, fear, folk music, Gary Furr music, God, Gospel music, Hope, Hymns, hymns, Jesus, Music, Narrative, spirituality, Story, Theology1 Comment

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Gary Furr

I confess, I have now been part of a ukelele flash mob, back when mobbing was not a public health crisis. But enough of that. Every year, the curmudgeons, musicians all, who inhabit the couch and chairs at Fretted Instruments of Homewood, contribute tracks for a Christmas CD that is given away. This is one I did a few years ago–ukelele, mandolin, dobro and guitar played by yours truly. Oh, and banjo, just for good measure. Merry Christmas! “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was penned by Edmund Sears. Sears was a divinity graduate of Harvard and became a Unitarian … Continue reading It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Advent, Aging, Art, Banjo, Christianity, Christmas, Dr. Gary Furr & Friends, Family, Gary Furr music, Gospel music, Movie Soundtracks, Music, Parenting, Songwriting, Story, Thanksgiving, Theology and Life1 Comment

Holiday Songs

Gary Furr

Mark and I are finished with our album. I’ll post the release this week upcoming. One of the songs on it is a recent composition entitled, “Hope to Be Together.” It’s about Thanksgiving, but the mood and message reflected this unusual moment we are sharing–pandemic, separation, isolation and disconnection. I will be releasing holiday and Christmas music over the coming days and weeks. After a bruising election, pandemic, global grief and sadness and economic hardships, it is not a bad idea to sing (even if we can’t do it together)! This first one was part of a soundtrack I produced … Continue reading Holiday Songs