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Happy Easter everyone! (we’re Catholic, and so was Tolkien, so it’s still Easter…)
In this episode, we read Samwise’s astonished awakening in The Field of Cormallen after the destruction of the One Ring, and discuss how it relates to the overwhelming joy of Easter.
“The Resurrection was the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible in the greatest Fairy Story – and produces that essential emotion: Christian joy which produces tears because it is qualitatively so like sorrow, because it comes from those places where Joy and Sorrow are at one, reconciled, as selfishness and altruism are lost in Love.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 89
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
- Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien
- John R
- Jacob Lockham
- John H
- Melkor27
HELPFUL LINKS
- take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)
- listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everon
- buy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/
- buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/
SHOUT-OUTS
Special thanks to the following patrons:
- John R
- Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien
- Jacob Lockham
- John H
- Melkor27
- Emilio P
- Jonathan D
- Mike M
- Robert H
- Paul D
- Julia
- Werty
- JoeBagelMan
- Richard K
- Matt R
- Matthew W
- Garret P
- Chris K
- John W
- Eugene D
- Chris B
- Daniel S
- Seb M
- Shana Supreme
- Cory C
- Ms. Anonymous
- Andrew T
- Redhawk
- Shannon S
- Brian O
- Zeke F
- James L
- Chris L
- Asya V
- Ish of the Hammer
- Teresa C
- David of Pints with Jack
- Eric B
AS WELL AS THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR PATRON ANNIVERSARY IN APRIL OF 2023
- Jonathan D
- Julia
- Katie P
- Rebecca R
- Ty M
Lord of the Rings & Christmas – An Unexpected Connection
A few years ago, my family watched the entire Lord of the Rings film trilogy over Christmas break (extended editions, OF COURSE).
It was great, and to my delight, it left a deep impression on my kids.
It just felt like perfect Christmas viewing.
Which is odd, because The Lord of the Rings has nothing to do with Christmas…
OR DOES IT?
While The Lord of the Rings is certainly NOT a Christmas story in any straightforward sense (Legolas ain’t one of Santa’s Elves), a deep dive into the writings of Tolkien yields a profound and surprising connection between Lord of the Rings and Christmas.
Lore of the Rings Interview » Why and How The Lord of the Rings is a “Religious and Catholic Work”
Hey there, fellow travellers!
Merry Christmas! I was recently a guest on the Lore of the Rings podcast – that’s L-O-R-E – where I joined host Aaron to discuss the ways in which Lord of the Rings is a “fundamentally religous work”.
We uncovered:
– The grace Faramir says before sharing a meal with Frodo and Sam.
– The liturgical significance of March 25 — the day the One Ring was destroyed.
– The mysterious Three Prayers of Númenor, preserved in Unfinished Tales.
– Why Tolkien preferred absorbed symbolism over overt allegory.
I wanted to share a portion of this interview on The Tolkien Road’s podcast feed, but you really need to go check out the whole thing over on Aaron’s feed.
Enjoy!
0322 » The Mythic Mind with Andrew Snyder
In episode 322, I’m joined by Andrew Snyder of The Mythic Mind podcast. We talk Middle-earth, Tolkien, Christianity, Kierkegaard, The Shadow, and the consolation that Tolkien provided in Andrew’s life during a very dark period. Join us!
0319 » The Rings of Power » How Do They Work?
Have you ever asked yourself how the Rings of Power work? In other words, WHY did Sauron’s Ring bring him mastery over the other Rings? What sorts of power did the Rings convey? Let’s take a close look at these questions!
0300 » How Tolkien Saved My Life
Join us for an in-depth discussion of “Of Beleriand and Its Realms”, the 14th chapter of The Silmarillion. Get the most out of your Silmarillion reading from this exploration of the map of Middle-earth’s First Age.
0269 » Tolkien’s Lost Christmas Poem, “Noel”
In this episode, we take a close look at “The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor” from Unfinished Tales! It’s a brief and fascinating account of the 3000 year history of Númenor, and contains a lot that needs to be unpacked!
One Response
Oh I know what it is like, it is like when Catholics pray the Rosary. Even though I am not Catholic I have learned how to pray like one, and I especially love the Holy Rosary. The Sorrowful Mysteries, and so on; i have heard about the Seven Sorrows of Mary, that some of these Mysteries are also found in the Joyful Mysteries. If this is true then it does make sense. So that Sorrow and Joy are akin and yet there is no trace of bitterness. I mean that there is no bitterness in Joy, no bitterness in Heaven.
Indeed He Is Risen!!!