Advent Poem 6

There are, and have been for many years, well-meaning but misguided Christians who believe that celebrating Christmas is sinful. Jeff Meyers has been taking time on his blog to debunk their arguments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 For those who are not up to wading through the whole discussion, Chesterton's good friend Hilaire Belloc wrote a much shorter, more playful response to Christmas detractors.

From Four Men
by Hilaire Belloc

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
A Catholic tale have I to tell;
And a Christian song have I to sing
While all the bells in Arundel ring.

I pray good beef and I pray good beer
This holy night of all the year,
But I pray detestable drink for them
That give no honour to Bethlehem.

May all good fellows that here agree
Drink audit ale in heaven with me,
And may all my enemies go to hell!
Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
May all my enemies go to hell!
Noel! Noel!