The Christmas season is fast approaching now. But it seems to have arrived earlier this year than normal (as it does every year). This year its early arrival is partially due to the fact that I have been studying the infancy narrative in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1-2) as part of my thesis. On several occasions I found myself humming Christmas carols as I read through commentaries and articles on the birth of Jesus and the angelic announcement to the shepherds. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” featured quite regularly.
