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Hibernation

On this midwinter day, with Christmas behind us and the New Year still to come, Mark Tully sits in front of an open fire and contemplates hibernation.

On this midwinter day, with Christmas behind us and the New Year still to come, Mark Tully sits in front of an open fire and contemplates hibernation.

For some animals, hibernation is a natural state, brought about by changes in their bodily functions. We humans can鈥檛 hibernate as they do, but we do respond to the urge to escape the winter. For that we need a safe and secure refuge, and companionship 鈥� things we do share with those hibernating animals.

All too often, we feel that we must keep going in winter, ignoring the rhythm of the seasons and rushing around as we usually do. But stepping back from our daily commitments, and shutting ourselves away 鈥� hibernating, you might say 鈥� can bring us peace and joy; it can strengthen our faith and allow our creativity to flourish. Maybe, like WH Auden, Arnold Bax, Fr茅d茅ric Chopin and many others, we should all pause now and then and hibernate, just for a little while.

Readers: Rachel Atkins and Paterson Joseph
Producer: Hannah Marshall
A 7digital production for 麻豆社 Radio 4.

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Dec 2018 23:30
麻豆社 Radio 4

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Advent

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Epiphany: The Duty to Be Happy

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Music Played

  • Claude Debussy

    Children聮s corner: L.113: IV. The Snow is Dancing

    Performer: Jean鈥怑fflam Bavouzet.
    • Debussy: Complete Works for Piano Volume 3.
    • Chandos / CHAN10467.
    • 14.

  • Charles Ives

    A Scotch Lullaby

    Performer: Andrew Childs / Wei-Han Su, Songs of Charles Ives.
    • Songs of Charles Ives.
    • Centaur 2006.
    • 10.

  • Mildred Bailey

    I聮ve got my love to keep me warm

    • The Best of Mildred Bailey Vol. 1.
    • Emerald Echoes 2018.
    • 1.

  • Idir

    A Vava Inouva

    • A Vava Inouva.
    • Globe Music, 2007 DIC B13122.
    • 1.

  • Arnold Bax

    Symphony No. 3: III. Moderato - Epilogue: Poco lento

    Performer: David Lloyd-Jones Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
    • Bax: Symphony No. 3 / The Happy forest.
    • Naxos, 1999 / 8.553608.
    • 3.

Readings

Title: Snake鈥檚 LullabyAuthor: Joyce SidmanFound in Winter Bees & Other Poems of the ColdPublished by Houghton Mifflin
Title: Thank You, FogAuthor: W. H. AudenFound in Thank You, Fog: Last Poems by W. H. AudenPublished by Random House
Title: The WoodAuthor: John Lewis-StempelPublished by Doubleday
Title: 鈥楳aking Winter鈥橝uthor: Emma MitchellPublished by Michael O鈥橫ara Books Ltd聽
Title: PaxAuthor: DH LawrenceFound in The Faber Book of Religious VersePublished by Faber & Faber
Title: After HibernationAuthor: Diana WitherbyFound in The Spacious AviaryPublished by Witherby聽

Broadcasts

  • Sun 30 Dec 2018 06:05
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Sun 30 Dec 2018 23:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4