I Don't Know How to Love Him (#BOTB)

 "What think ye of Christ?"  excerpted from Matthew 22:42

Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who Do You Think Jesus Christ Is?

      During this holiday season many thoughts turn to Jesus.  Some might not know exactly why Jesus should be celebrated, but most know that Christmas is traditionally a celebration of Jesus Christ.  In the hubbub and clutter of this time those Jesus thoughts might be fleeting, obscured by shopping for presents, holiday celebrations, and jolly old Santa Claus.  Jesus becomes a bit of an afterthought for most people.  

      It can be easy to put baby Jesus in the corner.  The birth of Christ was something that happened a long time ago and for many it's just a story, a myth told at Christmas time.  Flying reindeer, dancing snowmen, and elves who make toys might seem more real than some guy who came to save the world.  Besides, with Santa Claus coming to town who really wants to be bummed out by a baby who would later grow up to suffer death on a cross?   Santa coming to town sounds happy and exciting, but a return of Jesus Christ might seem a bit more ominous.  

      For centuries Jesus Christ has inspired great art, literature, and music.  He has been debated, worshiped, and denigrated by multitudes of pundits, philosophers, historians, and naysayers.  Still millions might wonder who this Jesus is and what they should think about him.  And yet we celebrate Christmas day which is dedicated to him.   Why?

       Consider these lyrics from the song "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from the popular musical Jesus Christ Superstar:  

If he said he loved me
I'd be lost
I'd be frightened
I couldn't cope
Just couldn't cope
I'd turn my head
I'd back away
I wouldn't want to know
He scares me so
I want him so
I... Love... Him.... So

         How do you feel about Jesus?   Do you think he was a person who actually existed?  Is he what some people claim he is--a Messiah and a savior of humankind?  Or was he merely a nice guy and maybe a great prophet?   Is he a storybook character or a perplexing historical figure?   What feelings does the concept of Jesus Christ evoke within you?  Hope?  Joy?  Reverence?  Amusement?  Fear?  Anger?  Hatred?  Some other emotion or opinion?  Feel free to express yourself honestly in the comment section--I will respect your opinion and would expect others to do the same.

Battle of the Bands

 Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.


"I Don't Know How To Love Him"

        The song for this round of Battle is "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  In the musical this song is sung by the character Mary Magdalene as she reflects on her feelings for Jesus.  There have been numerous versions of this song recorded by a wide range of artists including what is probably the most well known version by Helen Reddy.  (click the link if curious, but please don't vote on this version)

         Andrew Lloyd Webber has been accused of plagiarism in some of the melodies he has composed and this is among those songs.  However, the similarities between the Andante movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor and the song might arguably be more attributed as an adaptation of a melody more than an outright plagiarism.   I offer a shortened version of the classical piece as arranged for French horn.  You can listen and make your own judgement if you wish, but please don't vote on this clip.





Here are the versions for your voting considerations: 


Melanie C  "I Don't Know How To Love Him"  (2012)

        Some might remember Mel C as "Sporty Spice" from the hugely successful pop group The Spice Girls who topped the charts selling millions of albums in the 1990's.   After her stint with the group, Mel C continued with a successful career as a solo artist.  From 2012 to 2013 she played the role of Mary Magdalene in a UK production of Jesus Christ Superstar.   The version I offer here comes from a live performance.




Sinead O'Connor  "I Don't Know How to Love Him" (2006)

       Maybe she's not the most popular artist around, but she does have her loyal fans.  In this live performance, O'Connor and crew put a unique Irish touch to the song.






Time To Vote!

        Which of these two song versions do you like best?   Do you prefer Mel C's more traditional take or the Celtic touch given by O'Connor?

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 
  
J. A. Scott  



Winner Announced on Wednesday December 21st

       My posts will be light in the next couple weeks.  I'll have a post to announce the winner of this Battle on Wednesday December 21st.   My next post in the President Trump Acclimation Series will appear on Monday December 26th when I'll present my case rebutting accusations against Donald Trump regarding sexism.    My next Battle of the Bands post--the first of 2017--will appear on January 1st.


         What do you think about Jesus (see above paragraph highlighted in red for more information about this question)?    How do you feel about Christmas and the traditions associated with the holiday season?   What do you think about the musical Jesus Christ Superstar?   

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It's the End of the World: Let's Have a BlogFest!

            Today I'm participating in the  Choose Your Own Apocalypse Blogfest hosted by Shannon, of The Warrior Muse, and Chuck at Apocalypse Now .  Click on either link to find more participants and blogfest details.

 The Fun Side of the Apocalypse:

          My favorite movie genres are time travel, musicals. and apocalyptic doom and destruction.   The way I figure, if you can't escape the apocalypse by traveling to a safer place in time you can always sing and dance your way into oblivion.  

          But, yeah, give me those films like On The Beach, 2012, Knowing, The Day the Earth Caught Fire, or The Road.   Make it bleak, dismal, and devastating and all the better if they add in some killer special effects.  Destroy everything and kill everyone.   All in fictional fun of course.

          If any shred of civilization does survive then make it crumbling and chaotic.  The Road Warrior and Living Dead series are some good examples.   Dystopian is cool.  Rampant nuttiness is exciting.  Radioactive mutants are always welcome.

         The manner and means don't matter that much.  Nuclear destruction works for me.  I'll also settle for disease, natural disasters, or aliens.  Whatever creates havoc and makes a total mess of things is a story device that will hold my attention.

         But these are the products of imagination turned loose for escapist entertainment. 

Here's What I Really Believe

        As a follower of Jesus Christ and a believer of the Holy Bible, I think the real answers about the Apocalypse can be found in the pages of that book.  The walking dead, unleashed demons, plagues, and natural disasters are all right there.  It's where a lot of our fiction gets its inspiration in the first place.

        What we often refer to as apocalypse is a misnomer.  Apocalypse actually refers to a disclosure or revealing of knowledge, hence the Book of Revelations, where much of biblical information about the end of the world can be found.  The rock group R.E.M. gives a better description with their song title "End of the World As We Know It".  According to the Bible, the world will not end, but it will change.  Check it out.  It's a fascinating story.

        The story goes far beyond Revelations.  There is much more prophecy revealed throughout the Bible--too much for me to go into here.  The Mayans or anyone else don't have anything to compare with the prophecy of the Bible.  And as we look at history and the events of our age it becomes more clear that the pieces are falling into place for the endgame.   

         You may say that people have been preaching the Bible-based end of the world for centuries and it hasn't come yet.  That's true, but more than ever before the clues are making more sense.   The end is drawing near from all indications I can see based on Bible prophecy.  It's up to you to do the research if you don't believe me.   One blog post isn't going to simplify the story to make it easy to digest.

        I can't tell you when it's going to happen, but it is going to happen.  There are some glorious things going to happen for some and terrible things for others.  It depends on which side you choose and what decisions you make.  No one knows when the Day of the Lord is coming except for the Lord himself.  Now is the time to make ready for that day.

        I know the scoffers are out there.   There are the quiet unbelievers as well.  Please don't hold what I've said against me.  Today I am only the messenger delivering my version of what I believe about the Apocalypse.  We all have a choice to make and I've made mine.   If you are not yet familiar with the prophecies of the Bible, I hope that you will at least look with an open mind at the evidence that is available to you.

 I'll leave you with the closing lines from the great 1961 film The Day the Earth Caught Fire:           

         So Man has sown the wind - and reaped the whirlwind. Perhaps in the next few hours, there will be no remembrance of the past, and no hope for the future that might have been. All the works of Man will be consumed in the great fire out of which he was created. But perhaps at the heart of the burning light into which he has thrust his world, there is a heart that cares more for him, than he has ever cared for himself. And if there is a future for Man - insensitive as he is, proud and defiant in his pursuit of power - let him resolve to live it lovingly; for he knows well how to do so. Then he may say once more: Truly the light is sweet; and what a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the Sun. 


          Do you think these movie lines could have been influenced by the Bible?   Can you think of any literary works or films that have been strongly influenced by the Bible?   What is your vision of the end of the world?

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• Choose Your Own Apocalypse
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