Richard Stephens

Bless all who were involved in this monumental production. My wife and I saw it for the first time just now.we were thrilled. The traditional words were given new potency to reach a new audience no longer attracted to hear the Christian message of hope mediated via angelic choir boys broadcasting from a mediaeval cathedral however beautiful. This is an example that really works of old wine in new wine skins. The authenticity of the artists were self-evident, unlike traditional choirs I had a feeling that each singer had really experienced the transformation they were singing with about. This was not just performance of great singing but a series sung testimonies. I also loved the way that the lights were dimmed at the end of each song. The audience applause was not directed to the performers who disappeared back into the shadows but towards the God whose Gift of love that grew incrementally stronger and more apparent through the inspired words of the successive songs. One possible change to the lyrics that might be considered to make the words more challenging to the post modern generations among whom individual freedom-to-choose is key (and consequences are often seen as an afterthought,) might be in “Hark, the herald angels sing ….”to make a slight alteration . Mild He lays His Glory by : born that man NEED never die” This makes the option clearer. Well done everyone . This will be part of my future Christmas spiritual diet Richard Stephens aged 79 U.K.