Advent Reflection 22 December

Calypso Carol


Pause for a moment


How many of our Christmas traditions come from other countries?


Listen to the music




See him lying on a bed of straw;
A draughty stable with an open door,
Mary cradling the babe she bore;
The prince of glory is his name.

        Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem
        to see the Lord appear to men;
        Just as poor as was the stable then,
        The prince of glory when he came
.


Star of glory sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies.
Shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the Saviour of the world.


Angels, sing the song that you began,
bring God's glory to the heart of man;
Sing the Bethl'hem's little baby can
be salvation to the soul.


Mine are riches from your poverty,

From your innocence, eternity;

Mine, forgiveness by your death for me,

Child of sorrow for my joy.


Learn about the carol


This carol is often introduced as a traditional folk carol from the West Indies. The ‘calypso’ of the title refers to its West Indian flavour, and the words have featured on a set of Caribbean postage stamps. However, both words and music were written by an Englishman, Michael Perry, while he was a student at Oak Hill Theological College in 1964. He originally wrote the song for a college carol concert, and it only became famous by accident. Cliff Richard was hastily assembling a selection for radio, and included the song to replace a missing recording. It quickly gained popularity.

BBC Songs of Praise invited viewers to vote for their favourite carols throughout 2005. Tens of thousands of votes were cast, and the Calypso Carol was one of the top ten choices.


Time for reflection


I’m one of those people who likes to see things for myself. Doubting Thomas has got nothing on me! When the Christmas Lights are up in Nuthall, I will—of course—go and look at them. Having them
described to me just isn’t the same. Being a Guide Dogs volunteer, I encounter the challenge of being unable to ‘see’ in others—and some excellent responses in providing other ways of engaging with things.

 

This carol invites us to come and see. Imagine, if you can, the smells of warm animal breath and musty straw, feel the draughts as the cold night air mingles in. Hear the soft breathing of the animals, the distant noises of the inn and the town settling down for the night. Listen for the running feet of shepherds, and maybe an echo of an angel song. And there, at the very centre of it all, the cry of a newborn child—hushed by a young mother as she cradles him gently.

What a gift—and oh, to be carried there and reminded of its simplicity and complexity, its poverty and wealth, given for us.


Time for Action


Spend some time imagining—or looking at pictures of—the manger scene. Imagine you are there.