This year, the Bishop of St Albans has written his own Christmas carols in order to help teach the basics of the Christian faith and reveal the awe of the birth of Christ.

One of two new Christmas Carols written by the Bishop, called 'The Annunciation Tree', follows the Christian story from the Garden of Eden to the Resurrection in five four-line verses.

Bishop Christopher Herbert said: "With over 40 per cent of adults attending carol services or concerts over Advent and Christmas, carols and hymns provide a good way of people picking up the essentials about the Christian faith."

The Bishop's second new carol, The Angels' Carol, focuses more on the wonder and awe of the baby born 'out of deep eternity' and has a different way of engaging with the Christmas story that contrasts the earthy arrival of Jesus Christ among the shepherds with the effect this has, inspiring adoration then and now.

The Bishop will sing his new carols with children from Ashton Middle School, Dunstable, and St Mary's (Secondary) School Cheshunt, at St Michael's Church, St Albans on Wednesday.

A podcast of this recording will be available soon afterwards at www.stalbans.anglican.org