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The Holly and the Ivy David Allen takes a look at a traditional carol and shares some thoughts on its meaning. If you type The Holly and The Ivy into YouTube you’ll find several versions – some which are churchy and some that swing. Whatever gets you humming along, if not singing, then play it and have a listen to the words. Celtic Christians were great at remodelling older ‘god beliefs’ into the Christian way. The origins of this carol may be Druidical – Holly Oak and Holly King – or from the Roman Saturnalia celebrations or Norse Yule or Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. With the Christian Christmas goes carols and these should cover the whole of Jesus’ life. The Holly and The Ivy does struggle to fit the format, but here goes... The chorus symbolises ‘purity of life’ – well, seeing ‘the rising of the sun’ may be okay at this time of year but in summer? And how often do we see deer running about these days? Human purity, I think, should be more exciting than music from an ‘organ’ and ‘sweet singing’. The first verse proper has no direct Christian content. It is the only time ivy gets a mention despite being in the title! Both plants are evergreen so stand out in winter woods, and both provide shelter and food for wildlife. Some say the ‘holly’ and ‘crown’ point to Jesus (male), and ‘ivy’ (female) to Jesus’ mother Mary. Does this push it too far? In the second verse, white lily flower is a symbol of purity and Jesus, being without sin, fits perfectly. Jesus came to save us from our lack of purity hence to be our Saviour. Being saved from our impurity just has to be sweet! The third verse jumps to Good Friday and Jesus’ death on a cross – the blood red of the berry and of Jesus’ own blood from nails and a spear. Good for us impure people as the carol says, and Good as in Good Friday’s name – a perfect match. The fourth verse tells us holly prickles are sharp, but comparing it to child birth? Thanks to my wife I’ve seen a few and it’s not in the same league. The thought of God in pain because of our impurity I find hard to fully fathom. Does this really apply here? As an alternative, someone compared the shape of a holly leaf with the tongues of fire at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit revitalised the Disciples – a different and powerful thought. The fifth verse refers to bark and gall. Gall was offered to Jesus just before he died reminding us that being redeemed cost Jesus his life. The sixth verse in most versions is a repeat of the first verse but in my version there is a change. Verse one has ‘When they are both full grown’ and in verse six ‘Now both are full well grown’. The ‘When’ changing to ‘Now’ brings a sense of travel. This version of the carol takes on board all the key points of Jesus’ life through the annual life cycle of holly in the imagery going through its ‘blossom’, ‘berry’, ‘prickle’ and ‘gall’. We don’t follow the black fruit of the ivy (impurity) but take up the red berry of the Holly (purity) that comes through Jesus. So with some imagination we can make this a true carol. So knowing I’m definitely not pure, I come to seek forgiveness and give thanks and praise for God acting first in sending Jesus. So join me using holly and ivy to decorate our homes this Christmas and through humming or singing this carol we can glimpse God sending Jesus to us in our celebrations. David Allen St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats Church Office: Linden Avenue, Sheffield S8 0GA Tel: (0114) 274 5086 Page 24 email: office@stchads.org website: www.stchads.org
A relaxed and friendly place for a chat Coffee morning for anyone over 50 Tuesdays 10.15 Tuesdays -11.15am, 10.15 starting -11.15am 25th April 2017 St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats No table games, no speakers, just a good cuppa and a natter! WOODSEATS • SHEFFIELD For more information, contact the church office on 274 5086 St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats Church Offi ce: Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA Tel: (0114) 274 5086 Page 25 email: offi ce@stchads.org website: www.stchads.org
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