Post Scriptum

1. During odd-numbered years the propers were primarily devoted to readings and sermons relating the actual Christmas story while in even-numbered years the emphasis was upon the Feast Days of St. Stephen (December 26) and St. John (December 27). The sources describing this tradition of alternating the propers from one year to the next are based on two descriptions of the agendas from 1694 and 1710. While these sources treat only what occurs on St. John’s Day (Dec. 27), it can be assumed by analogy that St. Stephen’s Day was treated similarly. Indeed, the listings of the biblical sermon texts given by Martin Petzoldt [Bach Kommentar 2006] fully support the tradition of alternating texts devoted to specific texts which reflect these changes from one year to the next, changes that had to be respected by the pastors or deacons who delivered sermons on those days.