THE BELLS ~ of Christmas Morning bright
The central heating's on again
The neon light ~ across the night
Reflects the streaks of snowy rain
In Churches stained glass window sheen
The Blue & Gold and Red & Green !
The Holly in the Church Yard hedge
And from the Manor House the Yew
Will soon be cut to deck the ledge
The Altar ~ Font and Arch and Pew
Happy Parishoners will say
"The Church looks nice" on CHRISTMAS DAY !
The Bars & Pubs blare out and blaze
And City Buses chug along
On blocks & blocks of Flats I gaze
And hear a snatch of Christmas Song
And bunting on the big TOWN HALL
Says "MERRY CHRISTMAS to You All !"
The London Shops ~ on CHRISTMAS EVE
Are strung with Silver Bells and Flowers
And weary hacks ~ computers leave
Home to their dreary breeze block towers
And marbled clouds go scudding by
Tower Bridge ~ Big Ben and London Eye !
And giggling Girls remember DAD
And boily Boys remember MUM
And sleepless children's hearts are glad
As CHRISTMAS MORNING bells say "Come"
E'en to the favoured ones who dwell
In suits and gowns ~ HILTON HOTEL !
And is is true ? O is it true ?
The must tremendous tale of all
Seen in the Stained Glass Window's hue
A BABY in an OX's stall ?
Creator of the UNIVERSE
Became a CHILD on Earth for US ?
And is it true ? For if it is
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies
The sweet and silly Christmas things
Candles and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie ~ so kindly meant !
No LOVE ~ that in a Family dwells
No Carols sung in frosty air
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this awesome truth compare ........
That GOD was MAN in Palestine
And lives today in BREAD & WINE ~ AMEN !
Thanks for visiting ~ comments welcome ~ Love BRIAN XOX
This poem is an update on a Poem by John Betjeman 1935.
-
Author:
BRIANSODES (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: December 25th, 2017 03:09
- Category: Special occasion
- Views: 55
Offline)
Comments6
John Betjeman is my favourite poet. This poem, the Betjeman version, was read at our Church Carol Service and the lady that read it did it in a wonderful way.
Amen.
Thanks ANDY ~ It is my Favourite a well ~ JB truly is a CLASSICAL POET ~ always replete with Rhyme & Rhythm and perfect for Performance Poets ~ like me ! I have had to explain what Christmas Crackers are to some of our American Cousins and I though TORTOISE STOVE would be too much. My version is a bit like the difference between the NIV & the AV ! Happy Christmas BRIAN !
Lovely write Brian. Seasons Greetings to you and yours.
I don't like the 'Mass' bit of 'Christ-mas' if it's just mucking about with loads of ritual and waffle!
I never call it going to 'Mass'. I call it going to a Service, Communion, Worship, etc.
Thanks STEVE ~ I knew it would be your type of POEM ~ see my comment to ANDY to explain the reason for my revision ! I have always been an EVANGELICAL ~ so what we call "THE LORD'S TABLE ~ Majors on MEANING and reduces the RITUAL ~ OK ~ Happy Christmas ~ BRIAN
As long as your version is not like 'The Message', I say - can't stand it! I don't mind fairly modern, but I think it says 'Whooppee' or something like that. Cringe!
NO ! Most Evangelical Churches use the NIV which is acceptable ~ but many only use the AURTHORISED ~ Their Mantra is ........ "If it was good enough for PAUL ~ then its good enough for us !" . Thanks for your comments and Orthodoxy ! BRIAN
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Brian!
THANKS LOUIS ~ BRIAN
lovely sentiments brian,merry christmas
THANKS RON ~ Pleased you liked it ~ The Reason for the Season ! Yours BRIAN ~ Please check my FUSION on Christmas Presents ~ Thanks B.
Lovely poem, Brian! Sorry I wasn't on for Christmas. Pretty picture. I imagine how grand your churches must be in england! Wonderful! Merry Christmas (belated) Christina
Thanks CHRIS ~ Pleased you liked the POEM 'n PIC ! Yes we have lots of STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ~ which really come alive in the WINTER ! A CHURCH should always well maintained ~ Inside & Out to reflect GOD's GLORY. A Lovely Church and comfortable seats ~ helps people in the Act of Worship ~ AMEN ~ Spiritual HUgs @ CHRISTMAS ~ BRIAN
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