In the run-up to Christmas this year, Stockbridge Church set out on a simple but joyful experiment: to see whether a brand-new Christmas carol could be created not by a single composer or poet, but by a community. What emerged over just two sessions — four hours in total — was a carol deeply rooted in faith, place, and shared creativity: a true Stockbridge Christmas Carol.

The process was intentionally open. Anyone was welcome to come along — to contribute ideas, to listen, or simply to observe and enjoy snacks provided by our congregation.

Finding the Words

Our first session took place on Friday 12 December and focused on shaping the lyrics. We were delighted to be guided by two local Stockbridge poets, Diana Hendry and Hamish Whyte, whose gentle encouragement and literary insight helped ideas flow freely around the room.

Together, we explored what Christmas looks like when seen through the lens of Stockbridge. Faith and local life quickly became intertwined. The words began to gather images familiar to many of us: the steady presence of the Water of Leith, the warmth and generosity of our much-loved charity shops, and the wholesome, almost parable-like story of the swans on Inverleith Park pond.

There was also reflection on the quiet holiness already woven into our streets, named for saints who echo the Christmas story — Vincent, Bernard, and Stephen — reminders that faith has long been part of the fabric of this place. By the end of the session, a set of ideas and lyric snippets had formed - and Diana and Hamish took them away to work their magic.

Shaping the Sound

The following week, on Friday 19 December, we returned to bring the words to life through music. We were joined by composer Nigel Osborne, who arrived that very morning after travelling from Paris. Despite his long journey, Nigel brought extraordinary energy, generosity, and humour to the room.

Gathered around the piano, we explored melodies together; the piano trills, playful moments, and Nigel’s wonderfully humorous stories from his expansive and impressive career all helped create a relaxed and creative atmosphere.

The melody that emerged is both fresh and unmistakably Scottish in character. Nigel encouraged us to listen closely to the rhythms of language — drawing on iambic patterns familiar from the poetry of Robert Burns, and the natural phonemes and speech patterns of voices from Stockbridge itself.

Musically, the carol makes use of the Dorian mode, a scale well known in Scottish folk music, giving the tune a sense of familiarity while still feeling new. These elements helped the melody sit comfortably alongside the lyrics, allowing the words and music to support one another with clarity and warmth.

More Than a Carol

What feels most remarkable is not only that a full carol was created in just four hours, but that it truly belongs to the community that made it. This was not about producing something polished or perfect, but about listening, sharing, and trusting the creative process together, and we are grateful for all who turned up to help shape our new carol.

Looking Ahead

We are very much looking forward to hearing the Stockbridge Christmas Carol sung for the first time at our Sunday service on 21 December, the final service before Christmas. It will be a moment to celebrate what can happen when faith, place, music, and community meet.

Our thanks go to everyone who took part — to Diana Hendry, Hamish Whyte, and Nigel Osborne for their generous guidance, and to all who came along with open hearts and curious minds. May this carol be a small but joyful offering this Christmas, echoing the life and spirit of Stockbridge as we celebrate the coming of Christ.

We will upload the lyrics soon, and we look forward to seeing the Stockbridge Carol becoming a part of tradition here at its eponymous Church. In the meantime, we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!