CAPTION: The Bishop of Crediton celebrates the joy of singing Christmas carols and the meaning within the words
Bishop Jackie Reflects on Christmas Message of Ukrainian Bell Carol
The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev’d Jackie Searle, reflects on the joy of Christmas carols and the poignancy of the Ukrainian Carol of the Bells this year, as the war in Ukraine continues:
Churches across Devon have been holding their first carol services without any Covid measures for three years. It has been a time of celebration, of gathering together by candlelight in our communities to hear the familiar words of the Christmas story told through the nine lessons and carols.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of singing your heart out, surrounded by others doing the same. One of my favourite carols is ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’; it reminds me of happy Christmases in childhood, and I love the moment when we sing quietly: ‘How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.’
I am delighted that churches are finding new ways of making sure that carol services are accessible to all, whether it is the dementia-friendly carol service at St Paul’s Church in Plymouth or the Quiet Christmas service for people who have been bereaved at Holy Trinity in Barnstaple.
Carol services this year have included a dog-friendly one in Newton Abbot
There has already been a Dog-friendly carol service in the open air in Newton Abbot, Beers and Carols at St Basil’s in a Devon barn and even a Hawaiian Christmas at Bay Church in Paignton.
This year, though we are glad to gather freely in our church buildings, there is awareness that Christmas comes amidst a time of anxiety and need.
Carols like In the Bleak Midwinter or Good King Wenceslas have an added resonance, given energy prices, freezing temperatures and the cost-of-living crisis.
The simple message of Silent Night, “sleep in heavenly peace,” is even more poignant this year, with the war in Ukraine now in its tenth month.
Away in a Manger, “no crib for a bed,” is a reminder of the hundreds of displaced Ukrainian, Syrian and Afghan families now living in our cities, towns and villages across the South West – many of them desperately worried about Ioved-ones back home.
The Ukrainian Bell Carol was written during WW1
A carol which may be less familiar to us is the Ukrainian Bell Carol.
It is based on a Ukrainian folk song, originally sung as a “winter well-wishing song”, particularly at New Year, which falls in the Orthodox calendar on January 14th.
It was written in 1916 when war was raging across Europe and there was political unrest in Ukraine.
Its Ukrainain composer, Mykola Leontovich, called it “Shchedryk,” from the Ukrainian word for bountiful.
Nearly two decades later in the 1930s, as the world was approaching another war, an American choir master heard the song. Its tune reminded him of bells, so he wrote the now familiar Christmas lyrics to what became known in English as the Carol of the Bells.
Its words are a powerful call to “Loudly proclaim” the Good News of Jesus’ birth, to “Herald the news to old and young. Tell it to all in every tongue.”
Good News Message
The carol is often sung by choirs in four-part harmony, to sound like a peal of bells – it is a reminder that we can be ‘good news’ where we are by working together as communities, caring for our neighbours and strangers in our midst. I know that is already happening in so many places across the region, with community warm hubs, food banks and support groups.
Carol services, where we hear the Christmas story in words and in song, are a chance for each of us to be reminded of the Good News of Jesus’ birth and what it means for us today.
The story of Mary and Joseph, the angels and the shepherds, the wise men and the star and the baby Jesus in a manger is a powerful message of God’s love, sending his Son into the world to save us. God is with us this Christmas, whatever we may be going through.
As the Christmas bells ring out this year across our region, may this season be bountiful, filled with hope, light and love. I wish you a blessed and Happy Christmas.
With thanks to Anthony Potoczniak for his research on the Carol of the Bells.
