13 Days Until Christmas
SCRIPTURE
“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matthew 25:35)
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
LYRICS
Figgy pudding burning with brandy
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas,
and a Happy New Year!
Good tidings to you, wherever you are.
Good Tidings at Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding,
oh, bring us a figgy pudding,
oh, bring us a figgy pudding,
and a cup of good cheer!
Good tidings to you, wherever you are.
Good Tidings at Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We won’t go until we get some,
we won’t go until we get some,
we won’t go until we get some,
so bring it right here!
Good tidings to you, wherever you are.
Good Tidings at Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas,
and a Happy New Year!
Good tidings to you, wherever you are.
Good Tidings at Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ABOUT THE CAROL
1. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a popular 16th-century English carol from west England.
2. The author and the composer remain unknown, as do the dates it was written and first published.
3. This song reflects the Christmas tradition of poor carolers wandering from house to house, singing Christmas songs to please wealthy people and receive handouts.
4. The cheeky tune recognizes the dynamic between rich and poor. The singers call for figgy pudding and refuse to leave the wealthy person’s doorstep until some is delivered “right here.”
5. The dessert figgy pudding was once an integral part of the Christmas celebrations but now has lost its importance. Besides figs, the pudding contained eggs, milk, sugar, lemon and orange peel, nuts, rum and spices such as cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
6. January 1 was not considered the “new year” in the Western World until the 1700s, meaning the lyric in this song might have been added later.
Sources:
PRAYER
While we celebrate Christmas, may we remember that many are hungry and cold. May we remember that those people might as well be you, God. Amen.
