Columnist HUGH SELBY takes to poetry with a seasonal message of hope. 

I love the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play

And wild and sweet

Their words repeat

A baby is born to save us

Then peel the bells more loud and deep

“Gods are not dead, nor do they sleep”

The wrong shall fail

And right prevail

A baby is born to save us

A lone bell wail seeks heaven’s door

Inscribed on which is found this lore 

Search for the dove

Come back with love

A baby is born to save us

A great bell tolled, the missile struck

Lives vaporised by mindless luck

Fate cut the threads

Fate spared one bed

A baby is born to save us

The bells sound justice, truth, and peace

But first the sounds of war must cease

Now a ceasefire

Our fates still dire

A baby is born to save us

Bells are silent, bellringers sleep

Survivors through the ruins creep

Food and water

Sons and daughters

A baby is born to save us

Calls to prayer ring out each day

Justice is sought by all who pray

Allah their light

Justice their right

A baby is born to save us

The bells and calls reach out to all

Including babies on the crawl

Still free of hate

Any may be great

A baby is born to save us

I love the bells each waking day

Their old familiar music plays

And wild and sweet

Their words repeat

A baby is born to save us