Christmas Skies

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By marandina

Wed, 04 Dec 2024
  • 800 reads
23 comments
 

An homage to John Betjeman and inspired by his poem written in 1954 called ‘Christmas’  

 

Christmas Skies

Chiming church-bells peal from afar,

summoning souls this time of Advent,

metaphorical apostolic door held ajar,

midwinter rain sent as seasonal rent,

All Saints Church with candles aglow,

maybe precipitation will turn to snow?

 

Procession of clergy snakes past pews,

Yuletide service of incense and berry,

icy grounds abound, arcane stoic yews,

canonical time being happy and merry,

congregation sat shoulder to shoulder,

Lo! Christmas time, another year older.

 

Lights strung above cobbled town streets,

puddles on ground, brash reds and blues,

reflections blinking, pattern and repeats,

recurring displays, pious stain-glass hues,

revellers roam alleys, rove from inn to inn,

copious jugs of ale, mead and juniper gin.

 

This joyous time of families and giving,

fireside stories retold, misers and ghosts,

warm celebration of all the joys of living,

congenial family parties most special hosts,

If only I believed those sermons and hymns,

instead of bellicose Scrooges and Tiny Tims. 

 

https://allpoetry.com/poem/8493411-Christmas-by-Sir-John-Betjeman

 

Image free to use via WikiCommons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChristmasEve1878.jpg

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I hadn't known Betjeman's poem. You have caught much of the way his thoughts were around the season and like him appreciating the best of the family celebrations. He seems to end a little uncertain of the incarnation but realising that if true it is so important. ]You seem to end up wisfully. Maybe the sermons haven't been clear, maybe you are so famiiliar with the hymn/carol words but rather blind to their explanation. As Betjeman implies it is of utmost importance to find out – pray for insight – 'If you are there, help me understand what it's all about!'. Rhiannon

[Betjeman's 'lives today in Bread and /Wine] sounds a bit like Roman Catholic idea of transubstantiation, but in reality he lives in heaven and will return, and meanwhile sends his Spirit to us, and rules]

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannion. And the thoughtful comments.

There are a lot of emotions at Christmas both religious and secular. I guess this poem tries to encompass thoughts and feelings across a wide range of beliefs and values.

'I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.' said Scrooge via Charles Dickens. Perhaps there's something in that.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I didn't know that Betjeman, so thank you! I enjoyed your poem, especially the third verse, which pretty much sums up my home town at the moment. Scrooge came around in the end, and while I don't believe in the sermons and hymns, I do believe in the light in the darkness a midwinter festival provides. Happy Yule!

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Jane. That imagery comes from my town but could be any town. I'm looking forward to the light but want to enjoy the winter darkness first!

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This is our Facebook, X and Bluesky Pick of the Day! Please do share if you enjoy it too.

Submitted by marandina on

Oh that's wonderful. Thank you, so much.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Wonderful Marandina - I think the only festive thing round here is a deluge of local Facebook posts complaining about people nicking Amazon parcels off their doorsteps, but hopefully it'll get a bit more glittery as the month moves forward. Congratulations on your well earned golden cherry!

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Ah, the missing parcels. Judging from posts on our local FB and the Neighbourhood Net thing, all the parcel delivery people have been throwing packages out of the window to land where they will. Plus the ones being nicked, of course. Tis the season!

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Ho ho ho - Merry Christmas!

 

Submitted by marandina on

There's a never ending stream of parcels arriving here. OH and son just love white van man and ordering on the Hinterweb. Couriers seem to take a lot more care now. I have lost count of how many times I have had my pic taken recently whilst taking a package in at the doorstep! Still....the odd one gets lobbed over the gate or slipped behind a plant pot....

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Wonderful festive poem, Paul. It makes me feel grateful for the traditions you've mentioned, especially at the darkest time of the year when we need a little something to cheer us up. 

Who'd be a delivery driver, it must be a nightmare rushing around trying to find front doors and house numbers. If they nick my expected Amazon parcel, they will be treated to a some liver flavoured toothpaste for dogs and cats.

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks Jane. There's a story in there somewhere. I'd call it "Parcel for you." :)

 

Submitted by TJW on

Much obliged for this, Paul.

TJ

 

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks TJ.

Hoping you are well, sir. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This is such a wonderful creation of a festive poem, that really put me in the mood for the season. Reminds me of a lost Victorian England with all the true meaning behind it, rather than the commerical money making.

Very much enjoyed and thank you for sharing Paul.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Jenny.

I suppose we do yearn for yesteryear, especially at Christmas.

Hoping you are fully on the mend and keeping well. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Turlough on

With your festive words I think you've covered all the features of a classic Christmas, Paul.

Except for a Boxing Day football match, perhaps!

Very well done. It's a Christmas cracker!

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, T.

 

Leeds at Stoke City on Boxing Day. What more could you ask for?! [I would watch the game live on Sky Sports but will be out at the rub-a-dub-dub for a family meal at that time. Bah. Humbug.]

 

Submitted by Turlough on

And isn't Stoke just what Christmas is all about?

No football here I'm afraid. They've a busy old time of it this week but then there are no more games until 15 February. 

Up the Villa!

Turlough

Submitted by celticman on

ah, bah humbug. That's just me. I see where you're coming from and going to. Good for you. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Bah humbug it is then, CM.

 

[Tickets on sale for the Celtic game in January. Bring it on]

 

Submitted by onemorething on

This is our Poem of the Week! Congratulations! 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh that's wonderful. Thank you, so much Rachel! :)