Christmas Carols

by Stephen Thorne

Probably every adult in this country knows at least some of the words to several carols and finds them moving, whatever their religious background and regardless of whether that person has ever been to church. As Christmas approaches shops, restaurants, pubs and even the streets themselves sound to Silent Night and O Come all ye Faithful.

For many people carols conjure up the almost forgotten magical, white Christmases of our childhood, exciting presents and a simple belief in the mystery of Christmas. Their religious and historical significance is, however, often unknown and unappreciated.

Many carols have their beginnings far back in the medieval ages and originally carols seem to have been any songs which conformed to a certain musical pattern: lively music, a series of verses punctuated by a refrain and ring or round dancing songs. Some of these popular songs many of which were not particularly religious at all, may have their own roots in the pre-Christian pagan festival celebrating midwinter and the birth of the sun, and in adopting from this source we have retained references to holly and ivy.

Some of the surviving carols of today, such as The Boar's Head Carol, have sprung from the Middle Ages and it was during this period that the practice of singing carols in the streets seems to have been firmly established. Many carols were written down during this period whilst others were still passed on orally and despite the Puritans' efforts to discourage the people from celebrating Christmas, many carols did survive; and even though Christmas was abolished by Parliament from 1644-60, carols were still part of the Christmas celebrations in people's homes.

Many of our favourite carols were written in the late 19th century, when the Victorians began to celebrate Christmas more enthusiastically. From this period we get carols such as O Come all ye Faithful, Christians Awake and Good King Wenceslas. Quite a few of the Victorian carols were written to traditional carol tunes which had been in use in earlier centuries. During the latter years of the century the church carol services began to be established in the form we know today. In addition some carols have come from abroad, such as Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and We Three Kings of Orient are.

Even though fewer people profess to Christian belief today. it seems that carols have, and will continue to have, a special place in our hearts and in our celebration of Christmas.

The Christmas Tree
by Mark Warner

The Christmas spirit's dead, they say- 
Commercialised in every way!
For me, it seemed to disappear 
A little more each passing year 
And Yuletide peace was hard to find. 
But in its darkest hour, my mind 
Remembers, with a fiery glow 
One Christmas morning long ago.

Dawn has risen through the gloom
And last night's coals still warm the room.
I'm sitting on my father's knee
Beside a massive Christmas tree,
Settled in his warm embrace,
Contented smile upon my face.
I feel secure. A little boy.

(Just like my presents) rapt with joy. 
Since then the years have bolted past; 
That glow became an icy blast. 
As Christmas came and Christmas went 
My happiness was quickly spent 
And chill winds gusted round my heart 
To blow my childhood dreams apart.

Until today. For, on my knee 
Beside another Christmas tree 
l hold my precious baby son. 
The years roll backward, one by one. 
He gazes at the sparkling tree 
So I look, too. Again, I see 
That Christmas spirit, as his eyes 
Light up with wonder and surprise.