In this series, I wrote poems inspired by each of the Bible readings from a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
If you’re curious, my favourite one (by far) is this one: Shepherd, leave your flock and fold and I put pictures to it. I’ve also had a lot of positive feedback on The Weight of Wings (about the annunciation).
The format of this service has its origins in the 19th century with the Right Rev. Edward White Benson, who became the archbishop of Canterbury. In 1918, an army chaplain, Eric Milner-White, introduced it to King’s College chapel, Cambridge. It was hugely popular and has been broadcast on the BBC nearly every year since (in 2020 the service was pre-recorded without a congregation).
I grew up with carol services heavily influenced by Nine Lessons and Carols and I do have a soft spot for them, even if some carols have worn very thin and tired for me.
In this series though, I thought I’d see what it would be like to make poetry from the scripture readings.
You are welcome to use these in worship and other non-commercial use.
PS I also have an easy-going short Christmas drama/sketch The Three Wise Wives.
New for Christmas 2025! To make it easier to use these poems, all nine are now available in a single A4 booklet, alongside short, accessible introductions for each Bible reading and each poem. If you would like a digital copy to use in worship, please just contact me.
Photo by David Beale on Unsplash
- Genesis 3:8–19: The Wind in the Orchard (a poem)
She said it was the serpent’s trick, That made the fruit seem good to pick, And that was why we ate. - Genesis 22:15–18: The Day to Live (a poem)My father sits, His knife discarded Amidst the ends of rope
- Isaiah 9:2,6–7: Who walks when you walk in darkness? (a poem)There is no quiet, No sense of peace, No sight to guide, No knowledge to lead.
- Isaiah 11:1–9: The King of Peace (a poem)Governance and graciousness, The sceptre of fragrance and fellowship.
- Luke 1:26–38: The Weight of Wings (a poem)She saw my feathers ruffling at the softest breeze, And yet she knew my wings were heavy.
- Luke 2:1–7: The Prince of Prayer (a poem)Princes sit And an infant lies in a manger.
- Luke 2:8–16: Shepherd, leave your flock and fold (a poem) (with pictures)Do not linger at the cost, Seek the one who seeks the lost.
- Matthew 2:1–12: The heavenly summons (a poem)For when a king is born, the nations should come, The many assemble at the feet of the one.
- John 1:1–14: Logos Λόγος (a poem)Light of all truth, Life of all humankind, Love made flesh.
