They said "There'll be snow at Christmas" They said "There'll be peace on Earth", But instead it just kept on raining, A veil of tears for the Virgin's birth.

I remember one Christmas morning A winter's light and a distant choir And the peal of a bell and that Christmas-tree smell And their eyes full of tinsel and fire.

They sold me a dream of Christmas They sold me a Silent Night They told me a fairy story Till I believed in the Israelite

And I believed in Father Christmas And I looked at the sky with excited eyes 'Till I woke with a yawn, in the first light of dawn And I saw him through his disguise

I wish you a hopeful Christmas I wish you a brave New Year All anguish, pain and sadness Leave your heart and let your road be clear.

They said "There'll be snow at Christmas" They said "There'll be peace on Earth" Hallelujah, Noel! Be it Heaven or Hell The Christmas we get we deserve.

• Peter John Sinfield

I hope everyone has a peaceful solstice, filled with all the right kind of socialization and intellectual stimulation, and may your experience of our next rotation around the sun be satisfying to you.