153. The Christmas Eucatastrophe (and is The Lord of the Rings a Christmas movie?)

153. The Christmas Eucatastrophe (and is The Lord of the Rings a Christmas movie?)

We turn our attention from The Hobbit to a long-hidden Tolkien gem: his 1936 Christmas poem, “Noel.” We take a look at the history of the poem’s rediscovery, its deep-rooted Tolkien-esque imagery, and why its message of hope stands uniquely in Tolkien’s literary career.

We discuss:

  • The surprising 2013 rediscovery of “Noel” and how Tolkien scholars tracked it down through forgotten school annuals and convent archives.
  • The poem’s Nordic and Middle-earth flavor in the early stanzas—and the “eucatastrophic” shift when a child is born.
  • Song and music as markers of Tolkien’s poetic voice, the emphasis on Mary’s song, and what it means for the joy of the world.
  • Why “Noel” is a rare example of Tolkien writing an explicitly Christ-centered poem, and how it stands apart from his other work.
  • The unmistakable hope and gladness that “Noel” brings to the weary, gray world.
  • The craft and subtlety Tolkien brings, never over-explaining the mystery—just inviting us to imagine, wonder, and rejoice.

In our extended episode (available for EVERYONE this week! :D. Merry Christmas! Become a member or a patron!), we tackle one of the greatest Christmas questions… is Lord of the Rings a Christmas film!?

  • Does simply watching a film at Christmas imbue it with holiday status, or must its core message embody the “eucatastrophe” of the season?
  • The surprisingly non-Christmas nature of Die Hard and Gremlins.
  • Our favorite Christmas movies, from It’s a Wonderful Life to Home Alone, and what really makes a story Christmas-worthy.

🔗 Episode Links
Noel – Tolkien’s Lost Christmas Poem (YouTube)
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🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The History of The Hobbit
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion

The Children of Hurin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Episoder(159)

148. Bilbo Doubles Down on Burglary – The Hobbit #33

148. Bilbo Doubles Down on Burglary – The Hobbit #33

We look at Chapter 16 of The Hobbit, where Bilbo makes his most controversial choice-—handing the Arkenstone over to Bard and the Elvenking. Is Bilbo a traitor to the dwarves, or the only one thinking...

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147. Is Thorin Gold-Sick or Just Sick of the Elves – The Hobbit #32

147. Is Thorin Gold-Sick or Just Sick of the Elves – The Hobbit #32

The talking birds bring news of the dragon’s demise to the dwarves–only to find a host of elves and men are coming to the mountain’s gate. Bard makes his claim for a portion of the treasure, but Thori...

30 Sep 20250s

146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31

146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31

You’d think the death of the dragon is is the climax of The Hobbit… right? In this chapter, Tolkien gives us action, destruction, and the rise of a new unlikely hero. We look at Bard’s big moment, the...

16 Sep 20250s

145. Is the Arkenstone a Silmaril? – The Hobbit #30

145. Is the Arkenstone a Silmaril? – The Hobbit #30

Smaug is gone, so the Bilbo and the dwarves… just sit there?!  For a couple of days they do–and eventually they reach the treasures.  Bilbo, though, makes a choice to REALLY become the burglar when he...

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144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

Smaug is finally fully revealed! This week, we finish “Inside Information”, where Bilbo finally comes face-to-face with the unassessably wealthy dragon. We break down the wordplay Bilbo engages in as ...

19 Aug 20250s

143. Playing Tales of the Shire So You Don’t Have To

143. Playing Tales of the Shire So You Don’t Have To

The new game, Tales of the Shire was released last month after numerous delays… so, I took a bullet for the team and bought the game.  I livestreamed playing the game for the very first time earlier t...

7 Aug 20250s

142. Size Matters to Every Dragon – The Hobbit #28

142. Size Matters to Every Dragon – The Hobbit #28

Bilbo finally becomes a real burglar in this chapter, venturing alone into the heart of the Lonely Mountain as Thorin and company are once again exposed for the unprepared adventurers they are. Meanwh...

22 Jul 20250s

141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

141. An Interview with Elijah Wood

Here’s the next episode in our series of interviews from the December 2, 2003 roundtable discussions! In this interview–just before The Return of the King was released–Elijah wood reflects on the jour...

11 Jul 20250s

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