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Festivals
of Light
The Pharisaios
Journal
Bishop Beaver College
Annual Yuletide Fête
The Wenchoster
Carol Sheet |
IN SHOPS AND BANKS
WE HEAR THE CRY
In shops and Banks we hear the cry,
“The Christmas season draweth nigh!
Hark! Listen to the till bells ring,
As people buy all kinds of thing.
Along the High Street people rush,
And in each shop there’s quite a crush,
As parents fight for this year’s toy,
It’s pink for girl and blue for boy.
But in the Close the thick stone walls
Keep out the noise of Shopping Malls,
No heave and bustle can be found,
Instead there’s quite a different sound.
The great Cathedral’s windows show
No beaming light, but just a glow,
For on this solemn Advent night,
We turn the Darkness into Light.
We stumble in and find a seat,
And tread on several people’s feet.
A single bulb glows by the door,
Casting faint shadows on the floor.
In solemn dark we wait the cry,
“Behold the Bishop draweth nigh!”
And servers move in ordered flow
Just visible in candle glow.
Then to the thunderous organ sound,
The priests step o’er uneven ground,
Processing to their ancient stalls,
Where some have taken nasty falls.
And to the ancient Advent song,
Our Bishop enters with a throng
Of choristers on either side,
It’s just as well the door is wide.
It’s at this point, in former years,
We all have been quite moved to tears
Of laughter, as he’s lost his way,
And wandered off the straight highway.
But notwithstanding this affray,
Our worship has been made this day,
And Advent bells have called us to
A time of preparation true.
Tune: Winchester New LM
Copyright © 2006 Pharisaios
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