Thanks again to Peter Wyllie - and apologies for the formatting I have still to get to grips with HTML (.... one day....)

Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the King of Kings.

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled.”

Joseph’s looking slightly fazed

Shepherds blinded, deafened, dazed.

Kneeling in the soggy straw.

Starlight shining through the door.

Yes my Christmas cards are done;

Don’t you think this season’s fun?

Presents wrapped beneath the tree,

(I do hope there are LOTS for me!)

Joyful all ye nations, rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Christ by highest heaven adored

Christ the everlasting word

Late in time behold him come

Offspring of the virgin’s womb.

Tinsel stars hang from the light;

Flashing reindeer in the night.

I wish that I had bought some more

They’ve covered all their house next door.

Every year it is the same

Commercialism is to blame.

They simply hate to be outdone

But it started as a “bit of fun”.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus our Immanuel.

Hail the heavenly prince of peace

Hail the sun of Righteousness

Light and life to all be brings

Risen with healing in his wings.

Can’t wait for Christmas Eve to come!

With all my preparations done,

Pour myself a Christmas sherry;

‘Tis the season to be merry!

I want this Christmas to be smashing,

My plastic’s taken such a bashing!

So many things I had to get

You simply can’t avoid the debt.

Mild he lays his glory by

Born that man no more may die,

Born, to raise the sons of earth,

Born, to give them second birth.

Come Desire of Nations come

Rise, the woman’s conquering seed

Come and meet our every need.

My world, my town, my street and me

All need peace and liberty!

Free to rest and worship him

Who came on earth to conquer sin.

Somewhere it all went astray

Amid the tinsel on display;

Amongst the crowds all spending madly,

Even we lost Jesus, sadly.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain

Thee, the Life, the Inner Man;

O! To all thyself impart

Formed in each believing heart.

Lord display your saving power!

You’re not a baby any more.

You’re a king upon a throne,

Ever calling to his own.

Calling to each wayward child

“Come, today, be reconciled.”

This is why you came to earth,

Why you had a human birth.

So Lord, this year, amid the noise

Of TV shows and hi-tech toys,

Let us find true peace and rest

In the place that you have blessed.

In that quiet place apart,

Nestled in the Father’s heart.

Let us hark the Angels sing,

And worship you, our King of Kings.

©Peter Wyllie – December 2005 (& Charles Wesley)