0:00:15 > 0:00:18No, this isn't the Breakfast studio, it IS Songs Of Praise,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21and for my first programme, we've come to West Wales,
0:00:21 > 0:00:23to the tiny city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire,
0:00:23 > 0:00:26to see how people here are celebrating Christmas.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29But first, I've got to vote for my favourite tree!
0:00:33 > 0:00:37So, I try to master a Christmas anthem in Welsh.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41There's always room at the inn here in St Davids.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Carols from the city's stunning Cathedral.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47And festive music from Rhys Meirion.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Come over here, come round here. There we are.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58CHILDREN CHATTING
0:01:01 > 0:01:02This is a great idea.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Every child in St Davids gets a special gift from Santa.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11The presents are handed out
0:01:11 > 0:01:15during the annual Christmas Tree Festival in the City Hall.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19It started back in 2004.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21One of our past association members,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23she'd been to Iceland,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and this happened in Iceland, so she brought it back,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28and as you can see, it's just grown.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31We do it every year now. It's a tradition in St Davids.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33And we start with...
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- CROWD:- Five, four...
0:01:36 > 0:01:39And the prizes for the best trees in the festival are presented
0:01:39 > 0:01:42at the Christmas lights ceremony in the city square.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And the overall winner is...
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Peter's fruit and veg shop!
0:01:49 > 0:01:50Thank you.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Well, this is the beginning of our Christmas celebration
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and we've got a very strong sense of community here
0:02:00 > 0:02:03and it's wonderful that people gather together.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06It's only a little village of 1,500 people,
0:02:06 > 0:02:11and yet everybody knows everybody and Christmas is an amazing time.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15St Davids has the population and atmosphere of a village,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19but it's actually the UK's smallest city, on account of its hidden gem.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23St Davids is a magnificent cathedral and local choirs
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and congregations have come together to sing for us.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28They're going to start with a well-known Welsh folk song
0:02:28 > 0:02:33often sung at Christmas time, Ar Hyd Y Nos, All Through The Night.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I must say, they have some rather unusual Christmas customs
0:05:09 > 0:05:11here in St Davids.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16One of them involves this young fellow here.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21He's called Bambino, or "little child", and every December
0:05:21 > 0:05:24he becomes part of the city's Christmas preparations.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The first Sunday night is when the bambino's first presented.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32He's presented at the parish Eucharist service,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and the first parishioner receives the bambino
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and takes him into their home and that's where he starts his journey
0:05:38 > 0:05:42throughout the parish, and for the whole of Advent, then he travels
0:05:42 > 0:05:46throughout everyone's homes to be part of their Christmas celebrations.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52It's not just young families,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56it's people who may be on their own or elderly people who just feel
0:05:56 > 0:06:00they'd like a nice companionship of having Christ come into their lives.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- There he is!- Baby Jesus!
0:06:02 > 0:06:03Welcome. Come in.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07It's the sign Christmas has finally arrived when Bambino arrives.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It's the celebration of the incarnation of Christ,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12that's why he have the bambino.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15He reminds us of the fact that when Jesus was born,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18he didn't have any room for him at the inn, and throughout Advent
0:06:18 > 0:06:23we're taking him into our homes and giving him room and it's lovely
0:06:23 > 0:06:26that he's able to do that journey and arrive back at the cathedral
0:06:26 > 0:06:30to be part of the celebrations in time for Christmas Day.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Why do you like him coming into the house?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Because he's so special and soft.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- He's cold.- He was going to be cold,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- that's why he needs his special blanket, doesn't he?- Yeah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Did you have a blanket when you were born?- Yeah.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47You did, didn't you?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49When Bambino arrived with us, our children
0:06:49 > 0:06:52are quite young at the moment, so for them it is a true reminder
0:06:52 > 0:06:53of what Christmas is about.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56When they see the Jesus, physically see the Jesus,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59it's wonderful for them to be inspired by that.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02When they come to our home, we have an Advent candle
0:07:02 > 0:07:04which we would light when the baby arrives
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and we'll have a little prayer and a chat about what Christmas is about
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and reminding the children.
0:07:10 > 0:07:17Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus's birthday.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20And so having baby Jesus reminds us of that, doesn't it?
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- And seeing Father Christmas. - Father Christmas as well, yes.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Christ came into our lives at Christmas and it's not about
0:07:27 > 0:07:30the presents or the tree, it's about Christ,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34and that's what's so important in our lives, when he comes to us.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53# I have travelled
0:07:53 > 0:07:56# Many moonless nights
0:07:56 > 0:08:00# Cold and weary
0:08:00 > 0:08:03# With a babe inside
0:08:03 > 0:08:10# And I wonder what I've done
0:08:10 > 0:08:16# Holy father, you have come
0:08:16 > 0:08:19# And chosen me now
0:08:19 > 0:08:22# To carry your son
0:08:27 > 0:08:31# I am waiting
0:08:31 > 0:08:34# In a silent prayer
0:08:34 > 0:08:37# I am frightened
0:08:37 > 0:08:41# By this load I bear
0:08:41 > 0:08:48# In a world as cold as stone
0:08:48 > 0:08:55# Must I walk this path alone?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58# Breath of Heaven
0:09:00 > 0:09:03# Hold me together
0:09:04 > 0:09:09# Be for ever near me
0:09:09 > 0:09:11# Breath of Heaven
0:09:13 > 0:09:16# Do you wonder
0:09:16 > 0:09:20# As you watch my face
0:09:20 > 0:09:23# If a wiser one
0:09:23 > 0:09:26# Should have had my place?
0:09:26 > 0:09:33# But I offer all I am
0:09:33 > 0:09:40# For the mercy of your plan
0:09:40 > 0:09:44# Breath of Heaven
0:09:44 > 0:09:46# Hold me together
0:09:46 > 0:09:50# Be for ever near me
0:09:50 > 0:09:53# Breath of Heaven
0:09:54 > 0:09:57# Breath of Heaven
0:09:57 > 0:10:00# Lighten my darkness
0:10:00 > 0:10:04# Pour over me your holiness
0:10:04 > 0:10:07# For you are holy
0:10:08 > 0:10:13# For you are holy, Lord
0:10:15 > 0:10:20# For you are holy, Lord
0:10:22 > 0:10:27# For you are holy, Lord
0:10:28 > 0:10:35# For you are holy, Lord. #
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- I like this present. - You take them out for me. OK?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45At this busy time of year,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48even Father Christmas needs some extra help.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Christmas is
0:10:50 > 0:10:52the best time of year.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55We all become Father Christmas and we do a toy appeal.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00The charity Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship helps those
0:11:00 > 0:11:04who can't afford the added expense that Christmas can bring.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Obviously children need to be fed and clothed still at Christmas,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11but to give them something extra at the time
0:11:11 > 0:11:13when everybody is giving and receiving.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15We're celebrating a birthday.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19It's Jesus's birthday, it's good to give presents at Christmas time.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22If the parents can't afford it, and we do have people
0:11:22 > 0:11:27that genuinely say, "Christmas was cancelled until PATCH came along.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30"We told our children, 'No presents this year.'"
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Then they hear about us and that they're going to be referred
0:11:33 > 0:11:36and their faces just light up.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42We get the name, the age and gender of each child and any special
0:11:42 > 0:11:46likes or dislikes and we try to match up four or five really good quality
0:11:46 > 0:11:52toys with wrapping paper, sticky tape, chocolates, art material,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and that all gets put in a box and delivered to the parents.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02We deliver during school time so the kids don't know it's coming from us,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06so it's really from the mums and dads and not this anonymous charity.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14I came and helped last Christmas. It's just a year coming up now.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I heard about PATCH and it's a good project.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20It's helping our community. I want to be involved in,
0:12:20 > 0:12:21as a Christian here, living out
0:12:21 > 0:12:24and living my faith, I want to be able just to bless
0:12:24 > 0:12:27the community around me, and so I really thought, "Why not?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30"Why can't I just put a few presents in boxes,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33"give a couple of days of my time and just really help out?"
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It's my normal Christian...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38It's what God calls us to do, to look after people around us,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41so for me it's just part and parcel of what I'd normally do.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I absolutely love it here, working with my volunteers,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51seeing people's faces and meeting the most extraordinary people
0:12:51 > 0:12:56that give to us. I'm overwhelmed so many times by people's generosity.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I really believe that's what God would have me do
0:12:59 > 0:13:03and it's the most fantastic job in the whole, wide world.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24SINGING
0:15:24 > 0:15:28I've been invited to take part in a tradition that is unique to Wales,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and funnily enough for the Land of Song, it involves some singing.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Well, this is a baptism of fire, isn't it?
0:15:36 > 0:15:40It's my first Songs Of Praise and I'm being asked to sing,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43sing in Welsh, in front of the most marvellous choir
0:15:43 > 0:15:46who've just performed it perfectly.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Doesn't seem very fair. Can I do it?- Of course you can!
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- What are we going to do? I need help with the words.- With the words.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Wrth gofio'r awr.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Wrth gofio'r awr.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Ddaeth Iesu mawr.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Dd-ddaeth...- Ddaeth...
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Well, I think I probably need some practice, but the members
0:16:06 > 0:16:09of the Tabernacle Chapel in St Davids certainly don't,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13as this special service called Plygain has been held here for more than a century.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- Very good.- You haven't heard me singing yet!
0:16:17 > 0:16:22Well, it's a Welsh tradition of singing carols at dawn
0:16:22 > 0:16:27on Christmas morning, and the word "plygain" means "before cockerel".
0:16:27 > 0:16:29There's a word which is just hopelessly long.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I'm never going to manage that.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34In the past it could start at three o'clock,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37anytime between three and six o'clock in the morning.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43But the latter is the more commonly favoured time for us in St Davids.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47We come in in the dark, then you go out enlightened by the service
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and the birth of a new day.
0:16:50 > 0:16:57People will volunteer to read the scriptures, to offer a prayer,
0:16:57 > 0:17:03to give out carols to sing, and we always end up with
0:17:03 > 0:17:06a traditional Christmas anthem,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10called Hosanna Heddiw Sydd.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- From the beginning, this is.- I don't want to do this!- Neither do I!
0:17:15 > 0:17:21The words was written on a blackboard by the late Mr David Nash,
0:17:21 > 0:17:26who had been the secretary of this chapel for many years,
0:17:26 > 0:17:31but his writing on the blackboard is still preserved.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35It tells of the birth of Jesus Christ and how we was the star.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Hosana heddiw sydd, swn nefolaidd fydd.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Just basically the Christmas story,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and we're praising Jesus on his birthday.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49# Cyhoeddwyd gan angylion Duw
0:17:49 > 0:17:55# Cyhoeddwyd gan angylion
0:17:55 > 0:18:04# "Daeth o'r Nefoedd wen." #
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Much better when I conduct.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08LAUGHTER
0:18:16 > 0:18:21# Tua Bethlem dref
0:18:21 > 0:18:26# Awn yn fintai gref
0:18:26 > 0:18:34# Ac addolwn ef
0:18:34 > 0:18:39# Gydar llwythau
0:18:39 > 0:18:43# Unwn ninnau
0:18:43 > 0:18:48# Ar y llwybrau
0:18:48 > 0:18:54# At y crud
0:18:54 > 0:18:59# Tuar preseb awn
0:18:59 > 0:19:04# Gyda chalon lawn
0:19:04 > 0:19:12# A phenlinio wnawn
0:19:19 > 0:19:24# I fachgennyn Mair
0:19:24 > 0:19:29# Y tragwyddol Air
0:19:29 > 0:19:37# Yn y gwellt ar gwair
0:19:37 > 0:19:42# Dygwn roddion
0:19:42 > 0:19:46# Serch y galon
0:19:46 > 0:19:52# Aur anrhegion
0:19:52 > 0:19:57# Thus a myrr
0:19:57 > 0:20:03# Tua Bethlem dref
0:20:03 > 0:20:08# Awn yn fintai gref
0:20:08 > 0:20:17# Ac addolwn ef
0:20:19 > 0:20:30# Ac addolwn ef. #
0:20:33 > 0:20:36I think I'm going to have to take some home.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'Christmas, of course, is an excuse for all of us
0:20:39 > 0:20:40'to overindulge on lovely food.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43'Indeed, where would we be without our Christmas turkey?
0:20:43 > 0:20:45'But for some, it's food for thought.'
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Very nice. Thank you.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50All home products, all Welsh products.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'My father-in-law gave us a turkey for Christmas lunch,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56'but it was a live one.'
0:20:56 > 0:21:02And I thought it was such a lovely bird, pity to kill it, and I said so.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06At that stage, I was only 19 years old.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09So, he didn't say anything.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Next day, he returned with two turkey hens.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16And from those first three birds, over 50 years later
0:21:16 > 0:21:19there are many more turkeys at the Davies family farm.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25We're producing 10,000 this year, so we've started production.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- We're getting through, yes. - That's a lot of Christmas dinners.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32It's an awful lot. It's a big responsibility as well, you know?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35You're responsible for producing these fine birds and, you know,
0:21:35 > 0:21:39turkey plays a huge part of the Christmas Day meal, doesn't it?
0:21:39 > 0:21:44So it's an exciting time. We're all very excited.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Not many places you'll find three generations
0:21:47 > 0:21:50all working together in one business
0:21:50 > 0:21:52let alone in a farm business.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Let alone three generations of women in a farm business.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Yes, it's girl power, I tell you!
0:21:58 > 0:22:02So here's to the girls who rule the roost on the turkey farm!
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Absolutely! There's no messing with us Davies girls, I tell you.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10A very, very busy time of year for you and for the family
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and a lot of pressure, I would imagine?
0:22:12 > 0:22:18It is pretty manic. Christmas for us starts back in July, August time.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22We have the day-old chicks, they arrive here at the farm.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25It all starts back in July, August.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29We've started properly now for Christmas production.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31That's where your faith comes into it, you know.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34My mother always says, it's just we are so incredibly lucky
0:22:34 > 0:22:37to have that faith in order to get us through
0:22:37 > 0:22:42these very, very sort of challenging few weeks ahead of us.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44It's going to be a lot of long hours and hard work,
0:22:44 > 0:22:49and it's an awful lot of praying, hoping that everything will go fine.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52You know? There's a lot of pressure in order to produce these birds
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and at the end of the day, I know it's only a Christmas turkey
0:22:55 > 0:22:58but a lot of people rely on us for the most wonderful service
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and we always promise that we deliver that.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I think faith definitely carries us through that.
0:25:42 > 0:25:50# This is the truth sent from above
0:25:50 > 0:25:57# The truth of God The God of love
0:25:57 > 0:26:04# Therefore don't turn me from your door
0:26:04 > 0:26:13# But hearken all both rich and poor
0:26:17 > 0:26:26# The first thing which I do relate
0:26:26 > 0:26:33# Is that God did man create
0:26:33 > 0:26:41# The next thing which to you I'll tell
0:26:41 > 0:26:49# Woman was made with man to dwell
0:26:54 > 0:27:02# And we were heirs to endless woes
0:27:02 > 0:27:09# Till God the Lord did interpose
0:27:09 > 0:27:17# And so a promise soon did run
0:27:17 > 0:27:24# That He would redeem us by His Son
0:27:28 > 0:27:37# And at that season of the year
0:27:37 > 0:27:44# Our blessed Redeemer did appear
0:27:44 > 0:27:49# He here did live
0:27:49 > 0:27:53# And here did preach
0:27:53 > 0:28:01# And many thousands he did teach
0:28:05 > 0:28:13# Thus He in love to us behaved
0:28:13 > 0:28:21# To show us how we must be saved
0:28:21 > 0:28:28# And if you want to know the way
0:28:28 > 0:28:33# Be pleased to hear
0:28:33 > 0:28:40# What He did say. #
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Jesus, Prince of peace,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52who shared with Mary and Joseph
0:28:52 > 0:28:55the life of an earthly home,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58be with us in our homes as we prepare for Christmas
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and the commemoration of your birth.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Bless our children, our families and friends,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09fill us with joy and thanksgiving,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12deepen our sense of wonder
0:29:12 > 0:29:15as we understand your great love for us
0:29:15 > 0:29:20and teach us to find in you true happiness
0:29:20 > 0:29:23in giving rather than in receiving.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26And the blessing of God Almighty,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you
0:29:30 > 0:29:33and remain with you always.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34- ALL:- Amen.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40I've met some lovely people here
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and enjoyed some wonderful Welsh hospitality in St Davids
0:29:43 > 0:29:46so it just remains for me to wish you a very happy Christmas
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and for the cathedral choir and the congregation to sing
0:29:49 > 0:29:51one of everybody's favourite carols,
0:29:51 > 0:29:52O Come, All Ye Faithful.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Next week, David is in London
0:33:14 > 0:33:18for a festive feast of candlelit carols and Christmas readings
0:33:18 > 0:33:20with Kevin Whately and Tina Hobley.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23Plus music from Only Boys Aloud
0:33:23 > 0:33:25and Katherine Jenkins.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd