Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Music

Finding the Real Meaning of Christmas: The Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity

December 20, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 7 Comments

Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity

If you are part of a Western church that tries to live into the Church year, Protestant or Catholic, you know that in Advent there is a battle afoot. Our churches tell us to focus on Advent. Advent is the ramp-up to Christmas. This season is about waiting for Christ to come — remembering Christmas […]

Filed Under: Bible, Music, Worship Tagged With: Advent, Apolytikion of the Forefeast of the Nativity, Meaning of Christmas

First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 4): Jazz vs Ballads

May 11, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

jazz vs ballads

I asked one Orthodox priest what he thought the typical newcomer would experience when visiting the Liturgy. His response: Chaos! He was joking. His congregation has a lot of free-range children. But I think he was right. Once the service begins in that icon-filled space, your typical Protestant is hard pressed to make much sense […]

Filed Under: Community, Music, Worship Tagged With: First visit to an Orthodox Church, Jazz vs Ballads, Time vs Eternity

Great Compline

March 14, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

Great Compline

One of the Lenten services I’ve experienced in the last couple of years is the Orthodox “Great Compline.” I’ve known the Western version of Compline very well for a very long time. In the West, Compline is the last of the monastic hours, a short gentle service, maybe 20 minutes of brief prayers and Psalms, […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Music, Prayer, Worship Tagged With: God is with Us, Great Compline, Lord of the Powers

What Was Holy Saturday About?

April 17, 2017 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Writing

Christ is risen! That really makes all the difference. Or at least we know that it should. My fellow Protestants, as I’ve noted before, have a hard time really focusing in on just how Christ’s resurrection makes the difference. We are so committed to preaching only “Christ and him crucified” that we find ourselves inextricably […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Iconography, Music, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Harrowing of Hell, Holy Saturday

Celebrating the Birth of Jesus with His Mother

December 30, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

During Advent I went one Wednesday night to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh. I was surprised to hear a service that was new to me: Not the ordinary Vespers, but the “Advent Paraklesis.” As in so much of Orthodox worship, the hymns carry a huge freight of theology. As always there is much […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Music, Saints, Worship Tagged With: Nativity Paraklesis, Orthodox hymns, Twelve Days of Christmas

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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