Best Loved Christmas Carols, Readings and Poetry

telling us of the world God made.

By the fruits of the earth in their seasons,

we can see the love of God displayed.

Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle!

Sing Christingle, it’s the light of Christ.

Sing Christingle! Sing Christingle!

Sing Christingle, light of Christ.

God of love, we give thanks now for Jesus;

we remember his birth again.

But the red ribbon round the Christingle

tells the story of his cross and pain.

To complete the Christingle: a candle,

shining out in the darkest night.

Jesus promised to lead us and guide us;

come and celebrate the world’s true light!

Mark Earey (b.1965)

© Mark Earey. Reproduced with permission.

Christmas (#ulink_459d4404-0b54-5766-9e18-51e024270e89)

This poem by John Betjeman contrasts the frivolities of the modern Christmas with the serious message of Christ’s birth.

The bells of waiting Advent ring, (#ulink_b7e3a1a5-55c3-544f-9051-ec811df64531)

The Tortoise stove is lit again

And lamp-oil light across the night

Has caught the streaks of winter rain

In many a stained-glass window sheen

From Crimson Lake to Hooker’s Green.

The holly in the windy hedge

And round the Manor House the yew

Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,

The altar, font and arch and pew,

So that the villagers can say

‘The church looks nice’ on Christmas Day.

Provincial public houses blaze

And Corporation tramcars clang,

On lighted tenements I gaze

Where paper decorations hang,

And bunting in the red Town Hall

Says ‘Merry Christmas to you all’.

And London shops on Christmas Eve

Are strung with silver bells and flowers

As hurrying clerks the City leave

To pigeon-haunted classic towers,

And marbled clouds go scudding by

The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,

And oafish louts remember Mum,

And sleepless children’s hearts are glad,

And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’

Even to shining ones who dwell

Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true? And is it true,