24th December 

O Holy Night

 

This carol certainly proved to be the most popular of this year's selections! I (Tansley) have lost count of the number of people who have come up to me to claim this carol as their favourite! And what better one to pick for Christmas Eve when, on this Holy Night, we will once again remember that other night, in a small unremarkable town which now everyone in the world knows by name, when 2000 years ago heaven met earth and God came and walked amongst us as the babe born in Bethlehem.

Tonight, on this night divine, if you listen hard enough, you too might just hear the strain of angel voices, and you also might fall to your knees to worship the Christ-child again this Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYK3sllLD3U

23rd December 

I Orwedd Mewn Preseb (Away in a Manger) 

Chosen by Aled Jones

Aled has chosen this beautiful and well-known lullaby sung in his native Welsh tongue.

He says:
'It's a beautiful calm carol that was always on the list for the candlelit Christmas eve service at the stone cold village chapel up the road from where I grew up. I love being back there with family singing it.'

The English words will be very familiar to most of us, the Welsh translation less so, but I encourage you to listen and remember back to school and church nativity plays, the sparkle of tinsel, and the stable scene set with child-actors telling us the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtaNvzi0No

22nd December

Three Kings From Persian Lands Afar

Chosen by Ruth Bannerman

The haunting memory gives me goosebumps and I love the way the solo and background blend together.
Since this is usually sung by a choir and listened to, it gives you the chance to sit in peace and let the words and music surround you, joining in the sense of wonder that the Kings must have felt.
The final verse invites us to join to offer our own gifts to the Lord and find peace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thu3vgz5y28

21st December

What Child is This/Child of the Poor - The Hound + The Fox

Tonight at St Michael's we have our Longest Night service.
For many of us, although we look forward to the coming of Christmas and Jesus' birth with a sense of promise and hope; sometimes the busy-ness, pressures and expectations of the season can feel overwhelming for many of us.

The focus on curating a perfect family Christmas can feel difficult for many: for those living alone, away or estranged from family, those who are bereaved, those who are struggling to make ends meet, and feel an even greater weight of expectation to do something 'special' for Christmas. And, at a time that is often so geared towards children, those who have lost children or who are struggling to conceive, or who, for whatever reason have wanted children but never been able to have any can find it particularly difficult.

This recording is one we have used before in our Longest Night services and is two carols combined. It is a plaintive lullaby which asks 'What child is this?' and answers itself - this child will be one who comes to notice those in distress, those who struggle. He will be a child of and for the poor in spirit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IetPAANnhzQ


[Fox]
What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

[Hound]
Helpless and hungry, lowly, afraid
Wrapped in the chill of midwinter;
Comes now, among us, born into, poverty’s embrace
New life for the world

[Chorus: Hound & Fox]
Who is this? Who lives with the lowly?
Sharing their sorrows
Knowing their hunger?
This is Christ revealed to the world
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor

[Fox (Hound)]
What child is this, who laid to rest
    (Who is, this stranger? Here in our midst?)
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
    (Looking for shelter among us?)
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
    (Who is, the outcast? Who do, we see amidst the poor?)
While shepherds watch are keeping?
    (The children of God?)

[Hound (Fox)]
Who is this? Who lives with the lowly?
    (This, this is Christ the King,)
Sharing their sorrows
    (Whom shepherds guard)
Knowing their hunger?
    (And angels sing;)
This is Christ, revealed to the world
    (Haste, haste, to bring, Him laud,)
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor
    (The Babe, the Son of Mary.)

[Hound & Fox]
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

[Fox (Hound)]
Bring the thirsty, who seek peace; Those with nothing to offer Strengthen the feeble Say to the, frightened heart: Fear not, fear not
    (“Fear not: here is your God!”)

[Hound (Fox)]
Who is this who lives with the lowly
    (This, this is Christ the King,)
Sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
    (Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;)
This is Christ, revealed to the world
    (Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,)
In the eyes of a child, a child of the poor
    (The Babe, the Son of Mary.)


 

20th December

Coventry Carol

Chosen by Nicola Hughes 

'This version of this beautiful Carol holds particular meaning for me. I realise that the topic of the carol is not the most cheerful (King Herod orchestrating the killing of all infant boys), but it is sung from the point of view of the mothers, singing their babes to sleep knowing what threat is to come. Our son was born 11 years ago but at 24+3 weeks gestation and a teeny tiny 720g (1lb 7oz). He was my first pregnancy, and this was my first experience of motherhood. I wasn't able to hold him for 3 weeks, due to how unwell he was, but I clearly remember my first cuddle. His tubes and breathing equipment weighed more than he did! He spent 8 weeks in an incubator, and my husband and I were encouraged to read and sing to him, so that he could hear our voices. After many months and still in hospital, we approached Christmas I clearly remember having one of my daily cuddles with him, and singing:
"Lully, lullah, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
I hated having to go home and leave him every evening; it made my heart actually ache, but it was a means to an end. He spent twenty weeks in four different hospitals, but he came home. Eleven years later my little, tiny child now stands at my shoulder but every time I hear this carol I'm transported back to that moment; desperate not to leave my baby. In the midst of a challenging battle, there is always hope. Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful and hopeful Christmas.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmoJ9QgQHwg 

19th December

Bethlehem Down

Chosen by Tansley Jordan 

This is not, perhaps, what you might think of as a classic Christmas carol. It's more serious than jolly!

As a singer, I love it for it's crunchy harmonies and word painting. But as a Christian I particularly like listening to this carol at this time of the year because it reminds me that Christmas isn't the end of the story! Rather it is the next chapter in the story of salvation which God has been working on since the world begun. And it is not the end: the words foreshadow the crucifixion, where instead of crowning him with gold and clothing him in the fair linen of embroidered swathling bands, he is crowned with thorns and wrapped in grave sheets. 

And yet, for a short while, amidst the sounds of the stable and peace of a calm starlit night, there is time to stop, be still and, like Mary, to contemplate the wonder of God-made-human: a baby lulled to sleep by shepherd's lullabys.

“When He is King we will give Him the King’s gifts,
Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,
Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,
Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight,
Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,
Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music,
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

When He is King they will clothe Him in grave-sheets,
Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,
He that lies now in the white arms of Mary
Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming,
Close-huddled oxen to keep Him from cold,
Mary for love, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQnuxaqbYx8

18th December

Mary Did You Know?
 

Although only written in 1985, Mary did you know? has become a popular Christmas carol - particularly in the USA.
It is written as a conversation with Mary - although we never hear her answer - and asks her a series of questions which prompt the listener to contemplate not just what Mary was taking on in carrying God's child through pregnancy, but also who this child would go on to be.

Although Mary may not have been given a blow-by-blow glimpse into the future, the words of her Magnificat indicate that although she might not have known exactly how events might unfold, she had a fair idea of the seismic impact that Jesus would bring to challenge the status-quo of society! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

17th December 

Little Donkey  to donkey sanctuary
Chosen by Shirley Brown

I've chosen 'Little Donkey' for it's simple re-telling of the Christmas story. It is a reminder of the animals and the stable - the simple beginnings. Jesus was born not in a hospital or a royal palace but among the humble: he was born to redeem all creation, not just humanity.

For me, this carol also reminds me of my childhood growing up on the Wirral in quite a rural community where donkeys and other working animals were an everyday part of life. At Christmas we would often visit relatives in Devon, and no Christmas was complete without a trip to the donkey sanctuary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dk6n2aIHuU

16th December 

The Holly and the Ivy

At first glance this carol seems to have only a glancing relationship with Christianity - you would be forgiven for assuming it came from pagan roots!
But it actually draws on some of the medieval Chrisitian folk traditions around Christmas.

Traditionally the holly, with it's spiky prickles, represents Jesus and the crown of thorns whilst the ivy is often used as a symbol of Mary. Both of those plants are evergreen and keep their colour against the winter's chill. It is why holly and ivy are mainstays of Christmas floral decorations!

The verses tell the story of Jesus' life, from a child through to the crucifixion. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1YNisPHaTs

15th December 

'The Sussex Carol'

Chosen by Amanda Bourne 

One of the film series which was a constant in my childhood was the animated series was The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends. In the live-action introduction and conclusion to each film, Beatrix Potter’s life is shown in brief snippets. It was through one of these snippets that I was first introduced to the Sussex Carol, a traditional carol penned by a bishop in County Wexford. It’s exactly the kind of tune which should be sung by carollers, as it is in this film - the lyrics are joyful while discussing the saving gift of Christ.
Besides having an earworm of a tune, the Sussex Carol is also a lovely reminder of the reason for the season - the Christ who was and will be born for us is our longed-for Saviour: “all out of darkness we have light”.

Here is the version from the opening of the film, and below a beautiful recording of the carol in all it's glory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzSi6HFUn50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVBOMGpRV1c


 

14th December

Joy to the world

Chosen by Alison Drummings

L love this carol, particularly the refrain, 'and heaven and nature sing'. For me it is a reminder of the angel's song at Christmas, bringing their message of peace, and joy in the good news of Jesus' birth. It is also a reminder that Jesus' coming means that we are once again extended the invitation to join in with the worship of the angels.

Angels have a particular resonance for me because growing up at All Souls I loves the angels that you found around the building - in stained glass, in the carvings, etc. I have particularly vivid memories on a Sunday morning of running my hands over the carved angels at the end   of the choir stalls and thinking they were absolutely beautiful. I still love those carvings today!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGyYAzrctzk
 

13th December 

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Chosen by Mary Nichols

'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear' is a carol written by an American pastor and we sing it to a tune by Arthur Sullivan – who wrote operettas (such as The Mikado) with William Gilbert.

It's a carol, like many, that tells us of Angels singing, of beautiful sounds, of love, peace and joy.

The carol also mentions that the world has suffered long and wars are nothing new:  something we realise too well at the present time!
It asks the men of strife to hush the noise and hear the angels sing.  It also mentions that an age of gold will come and peace will reign;  then the whole world will hear the song that now the angels sing.

Hopefully, that’s the message we, like the angels, can sing this Christmas:  Peace on the earth, goodwill to all. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAq29n4BGoA

12th December 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Chosen by Seren Jones 

Seren, at 3 and a half,  is (by several decades!) our youngest contributor to our musical advent calendar.

She's been learning lots of carols for her nursery nativity, and this is her favourite song. She said that she 'likes doing the thrusting arm motion when she's singing it.'

(Editor: I think to truly understand what she means you might have to be invited to the nursery nativity! ...but I think it's possible that they have been learning some of the Makaton signs to go with the words.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-PBixyD_GU

 

11th December 

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

Chosen by Vanessa Cummings

I choose The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came.  The reason is very simple - about 50 years ago I went to a Carol Service at my (much younger, by 13 years) brother's school.  Our parents were living abroad and my sisters and I were responsible for him.  On this occasion my 2 older sisters couldn't come so I went on my own.  I knew Rob was in the Choir but I didn't know he had been chosen to sing a solo of the first verse of this carol.  So when it happened, it was utterly lovely and I was so full of pride.  I don't often hear it on the radio or TV Christmas carol shows but when I do, I am transported  back to Felsted and my darling little brother singing his little heart out so beautifully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28Bv0Wjwh4 

10th December

'What Sweeter Music' - by John Rutter

Chosen by Fay Philp

 

In my family, ‘What Sweeter Music’ by John Rutter is known as the 'Alison Carol'. 

A few years ago, my dad worked for Grampian Health Board and participated each year in the hospital carol concerts which raised money for cancer for children. An extra way to raise money was to sponsor a carol. 

When my daughter Alison was ten months old, she went to her first concert and dad sponsored ‘What Sweeter Music’ for her, hence the name the Alison Carol. 

Dad had a huge amount of music which he had cleared out over the years, but when my sister and I were clearing out his house last year, we found one remaining piece of sheet music, which was the Alison carol. This is now in a frame in her house. 

Apart from being a lovely piece of music (in my opinion), the story behind it for us, makes it very special. 

(words below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjZV62mVzPs

What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our Heavenly King?
Awake the voice, awake the string
Dark and dull night, fly hence away
And give the honor to this day
That sees December turned to May
That sees December turned to May
Why does the chilling winter's mourn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn
Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
The 'cause, why things thus fragrant be
It is He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth
To Heaven, and the under-Earth
We see him come, and know him ours
Who with his sunshine and his showers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers
The darling of the world is come
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome him, to welcome him
The nobler part of all the house here is the heart
Which we will give him, and bequeath
This holy and this ivy wreath
To do him honour, who's our King
And Lord of all this revelling
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our Heavenly King?
Of this our Heavenly King, our King

 

9th December 

The Shepherds' Carol - Bob Chillcot  (Words: Clive Sansom)

This is a less familiar carol, usually only sung as a choir anthem rather than by congregations. The words and the music evoke the sense of wonder which the shepherds must have felt - and even their struggle to be able to put it into words! The sense of a hushed stillness even amongst the usual busyness is palpable - the fact that the words to this carol were written in 1945 at the close of WWII makes this stillness even more poignant in a world in a world which was finally free from the thunder of war.

In the final verse the shepherds come to offer all that they have - all of themselves - in the service of God. This Christmas we are challenged to do the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZenoYpyAN0

We stood on the hills, Lady,
Our day's work done,
Watching the frosted meadows
That winter had won.

The evening was calm, Lady,
The air so still.
Silence more lovely than music
Folded the hill.

There was a star, Lady,
Shone in the night,
Larger than Venus it was
And bright, so bright.

Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady,
It seemed to us then
Telling of God being born
In the world of men.

And so we have come, Lady,
Our day's work done.
Our love, our hopes, ourselves
We give to your son.

8th December 

Carol of the Bells

Chosen by Katie Paramor

Katie is one of our regular Prayer and Potatoes congregation but usually attends another church on Sundays. She loves to sing, and one of the other churches in their team has a good choir which invites her to join them for special services. This year one of the pieces they are singing is Carol of the Bells which Katie says is really difficult but also really rewarding!

She has suggested it because the welcome that she is shown by that choir and the way they go out of their way to invite her in and make her feel included is also what Christmas should be about as we, along with shepherds and kings, are welcomed to the manger and God invites us to be part of God's story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7nSKqfBk6k

7th December 

Creator of the Stars of Night

Creator of the stars of night is an ancient Advent hymn which dates back to the 7th century. Although there are much fancier musical arrangements which have been written in more recent times, this rendition in simple plainsong is closest to the way it was originally sung, and has been sung through the generations ever since.

It is a carol which tells the whole story of God at work in the world, from the first days of creation when God said 'let there be light!' to God becoming incarnate as Jesus: being born of Mary and holding the mystery and miracle of being fully human and fully divine ('proceeding from a virgin shrine | the Son of Man, yet Lord Divine').

The carol ends looking to the future and the promise of Christ's second coming, where he will judge the world with justice tempered with mercy, and when the whole earth will join in the worship of heaven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMuivlwNfZQ

1. Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
O Jesu, Saviour of us all,
Regard thy servants when they call.

2. Thou, grieving at the bitter cry
Of all creation doomed to die,
Didst come to save a ruined race
With healing gifts of heavenly grace.

3. Thou camest, Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide,
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The Son of Man, yet Lord divine.

4. At thy great name, exalted now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
And things in heaven and earth shall own
That thou art Lord and King alone.

5. To thee, O holy One, we pray,
Our judge in that tremendous day,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every onslaught of the foe.

6. All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
Whose advent sets thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And spirit blest, for evermore. Amen.

6th December 

Silent Night 

Suggested by John Bayliss, Margaret Haddon, Richenda Crookes

John talked about how it reminded him of his childhood and early adulthood growing up and farming in the rural Cotswolds where there was no electric light, only candles and lanterns. For him, that imagery of a silent night was exactly as it should be - far away from the streetlights and the sounds of the more industrialised cities and towns. 'For me the first few words describe the whole scene, the whole arena of silence – there were no artificial sounds, only the sound of  cattle in the fields around the church, sheep in the fields. All was calm and bright.'

For Margaret the carol has strong memories of her German friend, Erica singing it. Erica who was a member of the congregation at St Michael's, and who died only a few years ago -  it’s a lovely carol in English, but so much better in German!

Richenda talked about this carol painting a picture of how the world should be, and of that one perfect night when Jesus was born. She remembered the story of the Christmas Truce, when, in 1914, WW1, soldiers had sung this carol across the trenches and had laid down arms for Christmas. We also thought about how poignant the words were when we hear so often on the news about how Bethlehem and Jerusalem are so often the sites of of fighting rather than peace, and the hope that one day Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will come again so that every night can be a silent and peaceful night on the West Bank.

This version, in German, has English subtitles which are direct translations rather than the words we are more familiar with in English. They encourage us to step outside the cosy and familiar and think again about the meaning and message of the words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa-EjnrdB6o
 

5th December

'The Shepherds’ Farewell' from from L'enfance du Christ by Hector Berlioz

This piece has been chosen by Eileen Marshall. 

She says, 'Although not normally sung in churches (except by choirs), the introductory music is haunting, captivating.
The story within the choral music is heart rending. Wonderful'

(Words below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h7LZ9RmcCo


Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling, the humble crib, the stable bare.
Babe, all mortal babes excelling, content our earthly lot to share.
Loving father, Loving mother, shelter thee with tender care!

Blessed Jesus, we implore thee with humble love and holy fear.
In the land that lies before thee, forget not us who linger here!
May the shepherd's lowly calling, ever to thy heart be dear!

Blest are ye beyond all measure, thou happy father, mother mild!
Guard ye well your heav’nly treasure, the Prince of Peace, The Holy Child!
God go with you, God protect you, guide you safely through the wild!

4th December 

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree by Elizabeth Poston

Chosen by Judith Buttigieg

The words to this carol date back to the mid-eighteenth century, from a poem written by Rev. Richard Hutchins published in 1761. They are thought to be based on this verse from the Song of Solomon in the Bible:

Song of Solomon 2:3

The author compares Jesus to a fruiting apple tree which one can come to for rest, shelter and protection. By comparing it to the Tree of Life in the first line, he also indicates that Jesus is the one through whom we ultimately gain salvation and an invitation to eternal life with God.

Judith particularly likes the musical setting of these words by Elizabet Poston for its beautiful harmonies!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPJBFYuUWvY

The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green;
The trees of nature fruitless be, Compared with Christ the Apple Tree.

His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see, In Jesus Christ the Appletree.

For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought;
I missed of all but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the Appletree.

I'm weary with my former toil - Here I will sit and rest awhile,
Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the Appletree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the Appletree.

3rd December 

A Great And Mighty Wonder

Chosen by Judith Usher

Judith writes:
'For me, the first line is the important one. A Great and Mighty Wonder. It tells everything about what we are waiting for and celebrating during Advent and Christmas. 

Feel how the words are so powerful when you say them. Say them twice and feel the wonder of what is about to happen!' 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt4ZbIuobMg

1 A great and mighty wonder,
a full and holy cure!
the Virgin bears the Infant
with virgin-honour pure:

Refrain:
Repeat the hymn again:
'To God on high be glory,
and peace on earth to men.'

2 The Word becomes incarnate,
and yet remains on high;
and cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky: [Refrain]

3 While thus they sing your Monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
ye oceans, clap your hands: [Refrain]

4 Since all he comes to ransom,
by all be he adored,
the Infant born in Bethl'em,
the Saviour and the Lord: [Refrain]

2nd December 

 

Once in Royal David's City 

This carol has been chosen by Liz Moore and Mike Cross. It is the carol which traditionally begins a Christmas carol service - a tradition begun by Rev Eric Milner-White, Chaplain of Kings College Cambridge, when he put together the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols for the Christmas of 1918 at the height of WW1. Legend has it that the choristers all practise the solo verse but none of them know who will sing it until the lights go down, the chapel quietens, the TV cameras start rolling and the conductor points at one boy who must then go for it!

Liz says: 
'For me it paints a colourful picture of the nativity and makes me catch my breath when the first verse is sung as a solo by a child.'

Mike says:
'It starts Christmas for me – that single treble voice that opens the hymn quietly, shouts Christmas is here! To me, the start of that hymn triggers the Christian in me and the sense of what Christmas is really about. After months of enduring Jingle Bells and Rudolph in high street shops and on tv, I can switch on the tv or radio at 3 o’clock on Christmas Eve and hear the choir of King’s College bring in the Christmas joyfulness and sense of Emmanuel – God with us - with one sentence “Once in Royal David’s City”. When the last trumpet ha sounded, the new heaven and the new earth will begin with a single, quiet voice.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtiCLJvyePw


 

1st December 

Welcome to our parish advent calendar! This year we have invited different members of our congregations to nominate their favourite Christmas and Advent carols.

Each day you are invited to open the next door and see what musical delights there are in store! Each door will link to a recording of the carol so that you can enjoy it. So sit back, turn your speakers up, and get ready to listen to the beautiful poetry of Christmas! 

For this Advent Sunday, a traditional advent carol which speaks into this season of waiting and preparation as we bid Jesus, the Emmanuel, to come.  

Each verse gives a different title to Jesus - these are based on the traditional 'O Antiphons'  - ancient prayers that have been used by the church for centuries as the days count down to Christmas.  (If you want to find out more about them, and how to use them to help you pray this advent, please join us for the Advent Quiet Day on 7th December!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15ZkhfLqKKU