Episode 9 - Jazz as Incarnation 

Jazz is embodied music. Ideas take flesh! This is a grand spiritual theme, of course, and lies at the heart of Christmas story. But what does incarnation sound like? That’s what this episode is all about. And we have the music to prove it. 

Here’s the free verse poem that Bill composed: 

 

When Word 

takes flesh 

it is a fragile 

Incarnation. 

Power becomes subject to weakness, 

Freedom is chained by time, 

Fools compromise Wisdom, 

Death crouches behind the Door. 

Still we discern a Way 

Through the dark, 

giving, 

embracing, 

loving 

risking all. 

And joy finds us. 

 

Featured music: 

  • Away in a Manger, from Jazz Noel, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Christmas Eve Band 
  • What Child is This, from Fragile Incarnation, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet 
  • Sussex Carol, from Fragile Incarnation, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet 

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet 
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI) 
Announcer: Chris Norton 
(c) Presbybop Music

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