<p>Carol concert readings 2012</p><p>Christmas In Africa Elizabeth Natasha Karamura </p><p>A bright and beautiful morning, The sun spares not its beauty and warmth; Within the homes, people are leaping with excitement and complete joy.</p><p>The sense of family reunion and love shared, The ladies indulge in the preparation of the great meal, The gentlemen gather out in the shades of green grass compounds.</p><p>Laughter is heard in all areas, Children play about, new play songs sung, The hour awaited is soon at hand, All the groups serve themselves, except for the young ones.</p><p>The day is greatly enjoyed, music flows as the families sing the Christmas carols so beautifully. In different languages the songs are sung, With Christ as their life so is joy; a heart forever. </p><p>The Oxen By Thomas Hardy </p><p>Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. “Now they are all on their knees,” An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearthside ease.</p><p>We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then.</p><p>So fair a fancy few would weave In these years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve, “Come; see the oxen kneel, “In the lonely barton by yonder coomb Our childhood used to know,” I should go with him in the gloom, Hoping it might be so.</p><p>Mistletoe </p><p>Walter de la Mare (1913) </p><p>Sitting under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), One last candle burning low, All the sleepy dancers gone, Just one candle burning on, Shadows lurking everywhere: Someone came, and kissed me there.</p><p>Tired I was; my head would go Nodding under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe), No footsteps came, no voice, but only, Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely, Stooped in the still and shadowy air Lips unseen—and kissed me there</p><p>For the Children or the Grown-Ups Anon </p><p>Tis the week before Christmas and every night As soon as the children are snuggled up tight And have sleepily murmured their wishes and prayers, Such fun as goes on in the parlour downstairs! For Father, Big Brother, and Grandfather too, Start in with great vigour their youth to renew. They try to solve puzzles and each one enjoys The magical thrill of mechanical toys, Even Mother must play with a doll that can talk, And if you assist it, it's able to walk. It's really no matter if paint may be scratched, Or a cogwheel, a nut, or a bolt gets detached; The grown-ups are having great fun - all is well; The children don't know it, and Santa won't tell. </p>