Calypso Christmas in the ‘Caribbean’ of the North West Coast
'ey mun! 'Ow you like to sellybrate Krismus? You welcum de Saviour wiff de Reggea beat, Mun?
In the days before Christmas, Anglicans in Ulverstone celebrated Christmas in Caribbean style with a "Calypso Carols Service". Taking much of the year in the planning and preparation, we held our 'regular' Christmas Carols service on the Sunday morning before Christmas, but with a difference, this time around.
There are some great 'Calypso-flavour' carols that many people already know (Mary's Boy-child, the Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, See him lying in a bed of straw, and so on). So with six months practice beforehand, the congregation at Holy Trinity, Ulverstone, set about learning some more. Eventually, with one recorded Jamaican Chant for people to join in with on the day, we had enough Christmas Carols and songs with at least some 'loose' connection to the Caribbean to hold a "Nine Lessons and Carols" service, but with the Carols being "Calypso". We also set our liturgy in the context of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John telling us why they recorded the coming of the Christ in the way they did. With the Bible readings then being brought by a group of characters ranging from Isaiah, to an Angel of Revelation, and even a Wise Woman, the unfolding story of the coming of Christ became a very memorable event.
The weekend before the Calypso Carols was the annual Ulverstone Christmas Street Parade and Mardi-gras. Last year, the Rector entered the Parade, and the Parish had a site with various activities in the Mardi-gras. This year, storm-force winds kept us from our site in the park, but we did still enter our float in the Parade. We had a 'Rusta-mun' on stilts, some people in costume on the truck, along with the Palm trees and musical instruments, and others dancing along behind to the beat of the Calypso Carols being broadcast from the float. Banners on the truck gave details of the Carols Service to follow, and invited the community to join in. The following Sunday, approximately 50 'extras' joined us in addition to the regular congregation.
For the Carols Service, people were encouraged to dress in theme, which many did, and to beat, ring or shake some kind of musical instrument in time with the rhythm of the carols. The Church had its 'regular' Christmas decorations, as well as a smattering of Palm trees (even blow-up ones) and other tropical additions. The service was followed up with a BBQ, cold meat, and tropical salad type of Christmas Parish Lunch. Many stayed on into the afternoon, enjoying the fellowship, and re-living the stories.
The birth of the Saviour is celebrated all around the world in many different ways. This was one fun way to mark his coming. Next year, we are already planning for an ANZ (Australian and New Zealand) style of Carols Service - but we might have a few months off before starting to learn the new songs!
John Tongue
Rector,
Holy Trinity, Uverstone
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