Poets have approached the theme of Christmas from so many different perspectives, reflecting a wide variety of beliefs. We will read poems about the Annunciation from the Middle Ages, and the birth of Christ, from poets as diverse as Thomas Hardy and Joseph Brodsky.

There are poems about Christmas trees by American poets, e e cummings and James Merrill and Advent, by Rainer Maria Rilke. Some reflect a deep faith and others are simply comic, but all those we will read will be fine poems. All the examples will be provided on the day.