S20E6: "Christmas" by John Betjeman (S14 Encore)

January 5, 2026 · 13 min · Season 20 · Episode 6

About this episode

This episode features a reading of the poem 'Christmas' by John Betjeman, along with discussions of Advent and Christmas poetry.

As befits the time of year, we are reading six poems of Advent and Christmas during this re-airing of the fourteenth season of the Well-Read Poem. We have selected certain familiar ones, which may yet contain certain surprises in their authorship and composition history, as well as some less well-known pieces which we hope will help you better enjoy the late days of the year leading up to the great Feast of the Nativity of Christ the Lord. Today's poem is "Christmas" by John Betjeman. Reading begins at timestamp 5:47. Christmas by John Betjeman The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass window sheen From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green. The holly in the windy hedge And round the Manor House the yew Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge, The altar, font and arch and pew, So that the villagers can say 'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day. Provincial Public Houses blaze, Corporation tramcars clang, On lighted tenements I gaze, Where paper decorations hang, And bunting in the red Town Hall Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'. And London shops on Christmas Eve Are…

People in this episode

Host: Thomas Banks

Topics covered

Advent
Christmas
poetry
literature
John Betjeman

Keywords

Christmas
John Betjeman
poetry
Advent
Well Read Poem

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Christmas