Let All Who Are To Mirth Inclined

Let All Who Are To Mirth Inclined  

"The Sinner's Redemption", also known as "All You That are to Mirth Inclined" is an English Christmas carol originating in the 1600s.  (Wikipedia) Loreena McKennitt’s is my favorite. 

I’ve never been on the receiving end of the charitable giving often associated with the Christmas season – I’ve never been in a position of unmet need. It’s easy for me in my place of privilege to sing about the noble act of giving. It’s important to acknowledge how fortunate I am to have security in my modest needs. I don’t know what it’s like to struggle with basic needs while listening to those who do not sing songs claiming to care about those who do. More broadly, I have plentiful grocery stores to shop at during the entire year, with fresh produce all winter long! Being at the seasons’ mercy to provide enough food for when the season is less conducive to agriculture is something previous generations have invented their way out of. I’m glad for their innovation to be sure, though there are still those doing such arduous work without proper compensation or working conditions. We’re a clever species and there are many ways we can still ACTIVELY do better, not just sing about it. 

Let all who are to mirth inclined 
Consider well and bear in mind 
How good a home, our planet is 
Despite the freezing winter winds 

 

*refrain* 

For to correct our indulgent fall 
Reflection will redeem us all. 

 

The twenty-first day of December 
We have good cause for to remember 
This darkest night and coldest day 
The fortune of a place to stay 

 

But mark how all things came to pass 
Desp'rate attempts to hold so fast 
To ignorance of worldly woes 
That other people surely know 

* 

 

In homes both close and far away 
The winters' darkness comes to stay, 
Strenuous weight for some to bear, 
While being bitten by frigid air. 

 

But Winter's teachers can alight 
Upon our hearts to relieve the fright 
Of those whose circumstances hinge 
On those of us with privilege 

* 

 

By giving without thoughts in mind 
That we will ever receive in kind 
As winter's slumber beckons us 
Their lessons three prove curious 

 

The first one spoke of modest means 
The second one of scarcity 
And most important in season's dark 
To learn to bear a humble heart 

* 

 

Let all your songs and praises be 
Devoted to generosity 
Be curious and show concern 
That our world will grow and learn 

 

With thankful heart and joyful mind 
In shortened days we seek to find 
Those shimmering days of frost and cold 
With endless magic to behold 

*