Small wonder the star

Small wonder the star. (Reuben) Paul Wigmore* (1925-2014). This Christmas text, first published in Carols for Today (1986), was written after the phrase ‘small wonder’ had lodged itself in the author’s mind; having been ‘hounded’ by it he found the writing ‘remedial’. The text encompasses vast Biblical narratives and themes with a rare economy of words. It was launched with Paul Edwards’ tune NO SMALL WONDER, named from the keynote line which concludes each of the three stanzas. Two arrangements were provided, a straightforward SATB and a more elaborate choral version. Other books to publish this hymn include Come Rejoice! (1989) and The Carol Book (RSCM 2005), which contains 16 of...