A friend and I were lamenting recently that there aren't more Christmas carols that celebrate St. Nicholas' championing of the Nicene Faith. So I set out to write one. Here 'tis.
Right now, I'm calling it "Santa Ain't No Arian", but I'm open to suggestions.
To the tune of Jingle Bells
Chorus:
Nicholas, you're the best,
Nicky all the way!
Defender of the Nicene ὁμοούσιον Πατρί -- hey!
Nicholas, you're the best,
Nicky all the way!
Defender of the Nicene ὁμοούσιον Πατρί.
"There was when he was not,"
said Arius & Co.
It seems they had forgot
that God has come below:
born in Bethlehem,
crucified and raised,
not a creature but the One
whom angels hymn with praise -- oh!
Chorus
By the candlelight
Share some Christmas cheer!
Give someone a gift!
Drink another beer!
For our light has come
And burned away our dross.
God in flesh: O come let us
Adore φῶς ἐκ φωτός -- oh!
Chorus
Heresy is dull,
a bland philosophy,
it steals away the gifts
beneath the Christmas tree.
The holy catholic church
Bids all our joys increase,
So get beneath the mistletoe
And give the kiss of peace -- oh!
Chorus
Every girl and boy,
And all the grown-ups too,
Let your hearts be glad,
Let Christ be born in you.
Sinners, don’t despair,
There's no need to be blue,
Lift your hearts up to the Son,
he's θεὸν ἐκ θεοῦ -- hey!
Chorus.
Right now, I'm calling it "Santa Ain't No Arian", but I'm open to suggestions.
To the tune of Jingle Bells
Chorus:
Nicholas, you're the best,
Nicky all the way!
Defender of the Nicene ὁμοούσιον Πατρί -- hey!
Nicholas, you're the best,
Nicky all the way!
Defender of the Nicene ὁμοούσιον Πατρί.
"There was when he was not,"
said Arius & Co.
It seems they had forgot
that God has come below:
born in Bethlehem,
crucified and raised,
not a creature but the One
whom angels hymn with praise -- oh!
Chorus
By the candlelight
Share some Christmas cheer!
Give someone a gift!
Drink another beer!
For our light has come
And burned away our dross.
God in flesh: O come let us
Adore φῶς ἐκ φωτός -- oh!
Chorus
Heresy is dull,
a bland philosophy,
it steals away the gifts
beneath the Christmas tree.
The holy catholic church
Bids all our joys increase,
So get beneath the mistletoe
And give the kiss of peace -- oh!
Chorus
Every girl and boy,
And all the grown-ups too,
Let your hearts be glad,
Let Christ be born in you.
Sinners, don’t despair,
There's no need to be blue,
Lift your hearts up to the Son,
he's θεὸν ἐκ θεοῦ -- hey!
Chorus.