Most of the Carols we are familiar with today stem from Victorian times, sentimental and full of a morality to live up to (For he is our childhood’s pattern;). Carols however also have a different more political edge and history highlighted by the Agincourt Carol. The idea of this piece is to try and marry these two ideas. The Nativity looks at the Christmas story, and relates it to some of the same issues we face today, giving us the chance to reflect on the people and situations we ordinarily would not consider during the festive tide (people who are lonely, and people facing debt). The focus is on the words rather than the tune, which is easy to sing, understated but gently underpinning the words. Long, but a reflective addition to any Carol service. I would be interested in people’s views on this.