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This carol, by ArtServe member John Paull, was published in the winter 2024 issue of ArtServe magazine.
Sharing the inspiration behind writing the carol, John wrote: For many years I have written poetry, and had poems published occasionally in magazines and anthologies. However, I have never tried writing hymns or carols, largely owing to the fact that I am not a musician. Aliyah, my ten-year-old goddaughter, sings in church, and this encouraged me to have a go at writing something for her to sing.
When evening twilight fills the sky and stars appear above,
Joseph stands and guards the babe and Mary smiles her love.
‘Though we are by a straw-filled trough that goats and cattle ring,
Angels watch and shepherds come, to say, “This is our king”.
A host of angels tell the news and shepherds shout repeats,
Peace on earth and joyfulness, chime out their minstrel beats.
To Bethlehem, we have to run to see the wondrous dear,
Pledged freely by the Lord of Life, so we no longer fear.
This little child is God’s great Word, whose arms all space unfurled,
You now are here to show your face upon our troubled world.
O song of Hope, O song of Peace, O song of Joy, and Love,
All these are nigh at Christmastide and chirrup like God’s dove.
Great sages of profundity traversed from countries far.
They had a quest to find a prince they’d foreseen in a star.
They thought they’d try Jerusalem, but they found danger there;
Instead in David’s Bethlehem, they found the baby fair.
Here is gold, exotic myrrh and fragrant frankincense,
These human gifts for heaven’s priest who bestows love immense.
From Mary’s womb, made divine, emerges vulnerability,
Yet, vanquishes the death of all, for all humanity.
Dear baby Jesus, peace with us, may we bring mangers new,
Dear Lordling babe, the son of God, may we be lordlings too.
Dear shepherd King, by wise men sought, may we have Wisdom fair,
Spread this truth and spread this love and justice everywhere.
© John Paul, 2023
The carol has been set to a new tune ALIYAH written by ArtServe member Peter Slade. To download the tune go to Downloads > Hymn tunes.
