Introduction
Advent is a season of waiting. A season of preparation. A season to be inspired. A season of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love… or at least it should be.
We live in a world full of war, conflict, disagreement, and uncertainty. With assistance from ChatGPT 25 popular carols (24 for Advent plus one for Christmas Day) have been re-written to reflect on current affairs in Israel, Palestine, UK, and around the world.
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The Carols
Each carol will appear here throughout the advent season or sign up to receive them into direct to your inbox.
- The Rebel Jesus
All the streets are filled with laughter and lightAnd the music of the seasonAnd the merchants’ windows are all brightWith the faces of the childrenAnd … Continue reading The Rebel Jesus - Encircling Troops (O Little Town of Bethlehem)O little town of Bethlehem, How troubled we see thee lie! Above thy streets so shadowed now, The silent stars still vie; Yet in thy … Continue reading Encircling Troops (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
- I Saw Three Boat Cross O’er the Channel (I Saw Three Ships)I saw three boats cross o’er the Channel, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day, I saw three boats cross o’er the Channel, On Christmas Day … Continue reading I Saw Three Boat Cross O’er the Channel (I Saw Three Ships)
- A Prayer for the Homeless Gentleman (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)God rest ye weary gentlemen,In shadows cold and deep,Watch over all who wander now,And grant them peaceful sleep.Bring hope to those without a home,Your loving … Continue reading A Prayer for the Homeless Gentleman (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
- Away in the Shadows (Away in A Manger)(A Prayer for the Undocumented) Away in the shadows, no place to call home,Like Mary and Joseph, they wander alone.No room for the weary, no … Continue reading Away in the Shadows (Away in A Manger)
- Hope Will Rise (Silent Night)Silent night, holy night,Grief now fills the longest night,Yet in sorrow, hope will rise,“Blessed are those who mourn,” He cries. In Your love, we find … Continue reading Hope Will Rise (Silent Night)
- Gisèle’s Voice Rang Clear and Strong (Angels We Have Heard on High)Gisèle’s voice rang clear and strong,Facing pain where she belonged,Like Christ, who came, the way to light,Her truth shines through the darkest night.Gloria, in excelsis … Continue reading Gisèle’s Voice Rang Clear and Strong (Angels We Have Heard on High)
- A Voice Called Out (Good King Wenceslas)A voice cried out, the Church caused pain,With Christmas Eve so near,The Bishops’ actions caused the stain,And trust was lost in fear. The leaders failed … Continue reading A Voice Called Out (Good King Wenceslas)
- In the Midst of Suffering (In the Bleak Midwinter)In the bleak midwinter, hearts are cold and torn,News of pain and sorrow, trust and safety worn.Stories of assault and fear, women silenced long,Yet a … Continue reading In the Midst of Suffering (In the Bleak Midwinter)
- O Come, Let Us Unite Them (O Come, All Ye Faithful)O come, all ye faithful, stand against the hatred, O come ye, O come ye, to stand for peace. Come and behold them, our brothers … Continue reading O Come, Let Us Unite Them (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
- Yet Earth’s in Pain (O Holy Night)O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.Yet Earth’s in pain, Antarctica’s ice is crying,For in this … Continue reading Yet Earth’s in Pain (O Holy Night)
- Beauty in Diversity (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King,Peace on earth, good will to all,Let none be left out or feel small.”In His birth, we … Continue reading Beauty in Diversity (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
- We The Kings of Oil and Might (We Three Kings)We the kings of oil and might, Turning blind eyes, day and night, World Cup’s near, but do we hear, Cries for human rights? O, … Continue reading We The Kings of Oil and Might (We Three Kings)
- Once in Bustling British Cities (Once in Royal David’s City)Once in bustling British cities,Families face uncertain nights,Struggling with the rising prices,Seeking warmth in winter’s bite.Yet through darkness, light shall beam,From a child in Bethlehem. … Continue reading Once in Bustling British Cities (Once in Royal David’s City)
- Where is Peace? Where is the Healing? (Little Donkey)Little donkey, little donkey,On a journey long and wide,In a land where tears are flowing,Where the innocent cannot hide.In Sudan, the blood is pouring,The people … Continue reading Where is Peace? Where is the Healing? (Little Donkey)
- For The Ones Who Face Oppression (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)Infant holy, infant lowly,Born to bring us peace and love,In a world that’s often cruel,Shining light from heaven above.For the ones who face rejection,Due to … Continue reading For The Ones Who Face Oppression (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)
- A Drought is Here (Little Drummer Boy)Come they told me, A drought is here, In Somalia, No rain this year. In times of sorrow, where is love to be found?Can grace … Continue reading A Drought is Here (Little Drummer Boy)
- Syrians Lift Hopeful Cries (Of the Father’s Love Begotten)Of the Father’s love begotten,Through the heavens, loud was spoken:Where the winds of war have driven,Hope and peace are now unbroken.On the earth, the Child … Continue reading Syrians Lift Hopeful Cries (Of the Father’s Love Begotten)
- Windrush Children (Calypso Carol)In the land of Windrush, they came with hearts so true,From distant islands, to start a life anew.They sang their carol, joyously they came,But now … Continue reading Windrush Children (Calypso Carol)
- Innocence Lost (Coventry Carol)Lully, lullah, thou little tiny child,Bye bye, lully, lullay.Thou little tiny child,Bye bye, lully, lullay. O sisters too, how may we do,To bear this grief, … Continue reading Innocence Lost (Coventry Carol)
- Uyghurs Mourn for Justice (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)Come, Thou long expected Jesus,Born to set Thy people free;From the darkness, bring Thy mercy,Let the oppressed find liberty.In the East, the cries grow louder,Uyghurs … Continue reading Uyghurs Mourn for Justice (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)
- In Sudan the People Mourn (See Amidst the Winters Snow)See amidst the desert sand,Born for us on earths dry land,See, the Lamb of God appears,Sent to calm our troubled fears. Hail, thou ever blessed … Continue reading In Sudan the People Mourn (See Amidst the Winters Snow)
- A Nation Torn (Ding Dong! Merrily on High?)Ding dong! Merrily on high?Small boats sail through stormy skies,Across the Channel, cold and wide,Seeking refuge, none denied.Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! The Assisted Dying Bill … Continue reading A Nation Torn (Ding Dong! Merrily on High?)
- In Ukraine, the Skies are Darkened (Angels from the Realms of Glory)Angels from the realms of glory,Wing your flight o’er Ukraine’s land,Where the battle cries still echo,And the prayers for peace still stand:Come and worship, come … Continue reading In Ukraine, the Skies are Darkened (Angels from the Realms of Glory)
- Peace Shall Bloom Where Love Bestows (Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day)Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,When peace will come and hearts will pray.Through lands torn by conflict, pain and fear,I bring the light that draws … Continue reading Peace Shall Bloom Where Love Bestows (Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day)
- World in Turmoil (The First Noël)The first Noël, the angels did say,Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;In Israel’s land, where tensions now rise,A cry for peace … Continue reading World in Turmoil (The First Noël)
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