A MERRY CHRISTMAS

When the choir folders come out for the end-of-year carol service, this classic arrangement by Arthur Warrell is always a favorite to close the night. "A Merry Christmas" takes the familiar, joyful greeting we all know and gives it a bright, spirited choral treatment. It is the kind of piece that instantly lifts the mood in the church, sending the congregation out with a smile and a true sense of festive cheer.

Singing this arrangement is a lot of fun for the choir, especially when we get to the playful middle sections demanding "figgy pudding" and stubbornly insisting "we won't go till we've got some." The voice parts bounce off each other with a lively energy that keeps everyone on their toes. It is a wonderful, lighthearted way to wrap up a Christmas concert, celebrating the warmth of the season and the joy of sharing good tidings with our parish family.