In the bleak midwinter

When did I last go to a carol service? I really can't remember, but it would have been at least 15 years ago, probably more.

I was tempted along to one tonight though, almost entirely because of its location. Bartlemas Chapel lies about 100m from the bingo hall on Cowley Road, yet exists as part of another world. It was built in the 14th century for a medieval leper hospital, is candle-lit and unheated, and can accommodate maybe 60 people, plus a small choir.

And it was beautiful. Anyone would have enjoyed it (though as a lapsed Catholic I would say that a bit of incense and some bell ringing would have set it off even better, and possibly warmed us up a bit too). It's the sort of event that non-religious people, or people of other religions, should go to too: it was clearly a Christian event but one which was benign, delicate and slightly mystical. (Apart from Ding Dong Merrily on High, which was pretty naff.)

Lots of the choir-only songs I didn't know at all, but it was quite disturbing to find that after all these years I still know all the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem. Not much chance of peace on earth in those parts these days, but still, it's a top tune.

joella