Wrapping: Musical holy trinity of Father Eugene O’Hagan, brother Martin and old school friend David Delargy in dog collars, upturned coat collars and scarves beside a snowy tree. Inside are historical notes on each carol.

Content: Thirteen carols, from Ding Dong Merrily On High to In Dulci Jubilo, The Holly And The Ivy to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with “a little priestly twist”, plus two versions of Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth, one lush, the other with a lush, the Pogues’ Shane MacGowan.

True to form, he sounds as if he has stumbled into a concert hall, where no one dares to shut him up.

Style: Recorded at Abbey Road studios but more the stuff of cathedral carol concerts, the fathers’ stately, graceful voices complemented warmly by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choirs.

’Tis the reason to be jolly: The priestly boys daring to sing with one very merry gentleman; a script line worthy of Father Ted.

Scrooge moan: Fans over reacting to MacGowan’s involvement, the unholy row misjudging humorous intentions behind the most unlikely pop union since Bing and Bowie.

White Christmas? No, but In The Bleak Midwinter is all white on the night.

Blue Christmas? Wholly the opposite; here are carols as nostalgia would sing them if nostalgia had a voice.

Stocking or shocking? Grand present for grannies the nation over.