Spreading Joy Through Caroling

There’s something about taking the music outside of the church and into the world that really spreads joy like wildfire.

After my cantata experience, I got to thinking about Christmas caroling and the joy it can spread. I always wanted to go caroling when I was growing up, but we lived ten miles out in the country with no neighbors. There really wasn’t anyone to sing to. When I was in college, I got to tag along with a girl from my dorm who was going with a group from the Baptist Student Union.

We didn’t go from house to house; we went to a nursing home which I found a little strange at the time. I remember wondering why they would want to hear a bunch of college kids sing off-key. I mean, when you are outdoors, it doesn’t matter as much. But, after we got there, I got it. The residents there were delighted with our presence. They loved the singing and the company. As I look back, we really were spreading Christmas joy.

There’s something so special about Christmas music. There’s always a particular song that we have tied with a special memory. The motivation of the writing of some of the old songs is special in itself.

In 1818, an Austrian priest named, Joseph Mohr, learned on the day before Christmas, that the organ in his church was broken. He was very saddened that his church would have no music for Christmas. He sat down and wrote the verses of a song that could be played on a simple guitar and sung by the church choir. “Silent Night” was born. It’s probably the most played song in Christmas Eve services across the world. You just never know what kind of huge difference your seemingly small contribution can make.

From 1647-1660, when the Puritans came onto the scene, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas carols in England. He believed that Christmas was a solemn occasion. But, people still sang them in secret. Apparently, the joy of Christmas, couldn’t be stifled. It just had to be shared in song.

In the 1840’s, when Prince Albert of Germany married Victoria of England, the newspaper printed a story that Prince Albert loved Christmas carols. The story goes that peasants got together to honor him by singing Christmas carols. At that point, caroling took off all over Europe and the Methodists and Lutherans are credited to bringing the tradition to America.

I participated in another caroling adventure a few years back with some children from our church. The children’s pastor put together a list of some shut ins and some elderly people who might enjoy the kids. It really was an awesome night. People who can’t get out much are filled with joy from people who visit for no other reason than to spread Christmas cheer and especially when those people are kids. But, then that was a lesson that I had learned more than twenty years earlier, even I had forgotten.

Christmas music is special. Even non-believers seem to be okay with it when it’s playing at the mall. People don’t do too much caroling anymore, but it’s a great way to reach out to folks who might not be able to get out that much.

Cantatas and church pageants are fabulous. I love those presentations. But, perhaps as Christians, we should be making more of an effort to take the music outside. It’s a great way to share the story of God coming to earth as a baby, with a world that desperately needs to hear it.  It seems like an ideal way to share joy during Advent. Sing on my friends!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy