We’ll no doubt be singing or listening to many carols over the coming week, but in what spirit will we be offering them? That’s the theme of this prayer from my book Touching the Seasons.
The carol singers
They sang to fill their pockets,
croaking a desultory verse in the hope of some reward.
They sang to fill their churches,
hoping that some who listened
might turn up that Sunday.
They sang to fill empty stomachs,
their aim to raise money for charity.
There are all kinds of reasons, Lord, for singing carols –
some good,
some bad –
but teach me to sing, above all,
simply to celebrate your love
and to share it with others.
May I sing from the heart
in joyful praise
and true worship.
Amen.