Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. …Psalm 98:4 (NKJ)
Recently in my newsletter, I asked if readers wanted to share about being in Christmas pageants or if they’d been caroling. I also asked about their favorite Christmas songs. As I indicated in a previous post, “Mary Did You Know” was a favorite newer Christmas song while “O Holy Night” was also mentioned often. The carol mentioned the most was “Silent Night.” I’m sure if you’ve ever been caroling, that’s one you sang. Our little church has gone caroling in the past. One year, when for some reason or other, my husband and I weren’t able to go, a little group went out to sing to some of our older members. That next Sunday they talked about what a good time they had, but they were also laughing about how none of them were the greatest of singers. At one house they said a dog started howling when they began singing. They couldn’t decide if their singing was so bad it hurt the dog’s ears or if the dog just wanted to sing along. At least, they were breaking forth in song and singing praises.
Elizabeth, who also attends a small church the way I do, shared a great story about going caroling, but with singing that might be easier on the ears.
The church I attend is on the small side, running about 40 people on Sunday mornings. Despite our congregation size, we have plenty of musical ability. Every December on the second Wednesday we meet at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot to begin our Christmas caroling jaunt. Our church is situated in the middle of a housing development which creates a nice loop for us to walk and plenty of houses at which to sing. Since we have carried on this tradition for years, many of the neighbors now eagerly await caroling night.
One year as we trekked the familiar path around the neighborhood, we walked back one neighbor’s long lane to the house. The gravel lane was pitted with potholes with a curve which led us behind a stand of trees and screening our group from the road. Ahead light streamed from the dining room window and through the gauzy curtains we observed the family eating and conversing around their table. We thought for sure they had noticed us—we being a large group and not very quiet. With our song leader’s start, we burst into, “Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains…” Through the window we watched the family eject from their seats as if they had heard gunshots and disappear. Moments later the door opened, heads poking out to watch and listen to our music. When we finished, the one lady exclaimed, “Oh my, you all scared us! We were just sitting around the table talking about the Second Coming. Then we heard this music outside that sounded like angels and we thought for sure that Jesus had returned!”
Christmas caroling is one of my favorite parts about the Christmas season and I always remember that funny incident every time we carol at that specific house. But then I think, “If Jesus did return while we are caroling and honoring Him, I wouldn’t mind one little bit!”
Great story, Elizabeth, and you are so right that singing His praises would be a fine way to greet the Lord’s return. Mandy has a sweet story too about how caroling brought happiness to her neighbors.
A few years ago my brother and I got all our neighbors together to go caroling. My husband drove a farm tractor pulling a trailer full of hay for us to sit on. We had an amazing time. We sang our hearts out up and down our “holler”. Everyone we sang for was so happy. We received gifts along the way too! We got way too many hugs to count, homemade candy, gingerbread, homemade hot chocolate made with cream, all of it was so good! Some of the people listened to the singing while tears streamed down their faces. We were blessed that night in so many ways. I thank God for that sweet time.
Thanks for sharing your great caroling experience, Mandy. Barbara shares a special, snowy memory of caroling.
My favorite memory of caroling was years ago. Our church planned to go caroling but it started snowing, heavy, big, beautiful flakes. We decided to go anyway and it was wonderful! The joy in the carols mixed with the beauty of the snow to make a special memory.
That makes a lovely picture, one I wish I’d had to share with this post. I couldn’t find a caroling picture, so I shared a picture of my granddaughter’s chorus group singing carols a few years ago. My granddaughter is the one with the red scarf.
Last, we have a story from Jolynn that isn’t exactly about caroling, but I started out talking about dogs and so it’s fun to end up with this dog and Christmas music story.
I would really love to win the Nativity snow globe! Especially since it plays music! We have a very smart Border Collie that will be 12 yrs.old, in Feb.. We got him in Nov. 2008, at an animal shelter. A month later, after Christmas, we were so tired of hearing our sensor activated Christmas toy, that used to be on the shelf, & now put away. We were eating around the table & we were mimicking the Jingle bells song & the Frosty the Snowman, that we kept hearing over & over again the month before. Our new dog did something real surprising; he went to the shelf where these Christmas singing decorations once were & looked up. Wow! We didn’t even know this shelter dog, was going to be that smart! We only knew about their herding talent. A few weeks later all we needed to say was “Music” & the dog would go over to shelf, where we put a few music boxes, instead of Christmas music toys. We would then turn on the music boxes for the dog. Every time we said “music,” he went to the shelf. We even used turning on “Music” boxes as a reward instead of treats. Such as when the dog bought in dog toys, that our other dog had taken outside. Now over the years our dog Buddy, still loves “music” boxes. So Buddy & I would really like to win the “music” box, that is also a very pretty Nativity snow globe!
Sorry, Jolynn, you didn’t win, but I’m sure if you had been the winner, your dog, Buddy, would have enjoyed the music. Margaret was the winner of the globe and I put it in the mail to her today. I also put a book in the mail to Joy, last week’s blog winner. She picked These Healing Hills as her prize. Now if you leave a comment here, you can be in this week’s drawing to have the chance to win your pick of one of my books. Comments have to be made before midnight Saturday, December 21, 2019, and I’ll draw for the winner on Sunday. I do appreciate all of you who have left comments this month and those of you who read my post about the history behind the song “O Holy Night” and perhaps shared it online. You all are the best. Thanks for stopping by my blog here and joining the conversation on my Facebook page.
Have you ever been caroling? Have a favorite old time carol you like to sing or hear? Our preacher says he loves “Away in a Manger.”
Comments 36
I loved this post, Ann. I read it aloud to my hubby and we both laughed at the folks who thought the carolers were the angels accompanying Jesus’s Second Coming! Amazing that that church of forty has such beautiful singers.
As a child, my friend Sue Ellen and I would make up Christmas skits and peform for our families. I loved to sing and still do although sometimes it is truly a joyful NOISE. Her voice was indeed angelic. One of my favorite songs then and now is Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. It was so much fun to sing the parts with her and I even sounded good along with her! I remember hearing the song first on the radio sung by the sweet harmony of the Chuck Wagon Gang,
Author
You’re the second person to mention that beautiful song, Sandi. I’m guessing those Christmas skits you and your friends got together were a fun blessing to your families. And keep on making that joyful noise to the Lord. Singing can plant joy in our heart when that heart is troubled by sorrow, numbed by too much busyness, or who knows what else. But a song can lift our spirits, take us back in time, and make us smile. I admire people who can sing in harmony.
Caroling through the years. . .
As a Girl Scout and as a member of a church youth group.
As a teacher, the second grade team took our students.
As a Christmas visitor, my children and I joined my sister’s family and neighbors.
Caroling brings joy to the recipients and to the carolers.
Merry Christmas to you, Ann and to your readers.
Author
Thank you, GB. The joy we give often returns twofold to us. Sounds as though you’ve had some fun caroling times. Merry Christmas to you too.
I’ve never been caroling.
Author
Then gathering from the testimonials here, Caryl, you and I should consider gathering a group and doing some caroling next Christmas.
I have never got to go caroling but have always thought it would be fun. One of my favorite Christmas songs is Beautiful star of Bethlehem. We sang that a lot in the church I use to attend, sometimes even when it wasn’t Christmas. Wishing a Merry and blessed Christmas to you, your family, and to all your readers.
Author
That is such a beautiful song, Barbara. I think sometimes we err when we don’t pull out those beautiful Christmas songs to sing or listen to throughout the year. Enjoy.
I always enjoyed singing Christmas carols when I was younger. I enjoyed reading yours and everyone else’s experiences about their caroling and Christmas memories. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
Author
I’ve never been caroling that much, Susan. Never been much of a singer in spite of the fact that my church has me leading the singing right now. But that’s not because I’m a good singer. It’s because nobody else wants to and I can sort of carry a tune. But it’s really hard hitting those high notes in carols. I’m glad you enjoyed the caroling stories.
Thank you for your Christmas and New Year’s wishes. May you and yours be blesses in many ways this Christmas and in 2020.
We had so much fun caroling with our church group when we were kids.
Author
I’m sure it was a great learning experience for you too, Janice, as you sang those old carols with the beautiful words about the birth of Jesus and angels singing and silent nights.
I used to go caroling but I can’t be in the cold now due to fibromyalgia and arthritis. Wonderful memories.
Author
Glad my post awakened good memories for you, Lucy. I hope your arthritis and fibromyalgia aren’t too bad for you through the Christmas holidays. A good time to wrap up in a cozy blanket and enjoy the special times of Christmas.
Yes, I go Christmas caroling with some folks from our church on the second Sunday in December, too. We haven’t had anyone come flying out of their seats though. That must have been something.
Author
Well, as long as nobody has pulled down the shades and locked the door when you start singing, Birdie. No, I think most would be touched by people coming to sing carols to them. What a great way to share Christmas joy!
The only time I went caroling was in high school Spanish class. We learned Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful in Spanish and walked down the halls at school singing. Our Spanish teacher was a Methodist ministers wife. It was her idea. A couple of the students thought it wasn’t “cool” and didn’t want to do it, but I enjoyed it even if I’m not a very good singer. Nice memory from 1966.
Author
Fun, Peggy. Paula left a comment about doing the same thing in French. I think it’s neat that you could learn the other language well enough to sing the song. Thanks for sharing your 1966 memory.
I love Christmas caroling. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I love caroling and am thankful I get to do that almost every year!! Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High are two of my favorite old-time carols to sing.
Author
What beautiful songs, Elizabeth. I hope you got to sing those two when you went caroling this year.
I went caroling mostly as a teenager and young adult. It really was rewarding to bless others with their own private concert of Christmas music. While I love all the old Christmas carols, “O Holy Night” is one of my favorites. It evokes awe and reverence in me.
Author
O Holy Night is a song that can give you those holy goosebumps when you hear it, Suzanne. I’m not sure people in my area do as much caroling as they used to. In fact there was a cute cartoon in the paper today. Family Circus. A little boy answered the door and called to him mother that there were trick-or-treaters but they were singing.
The dog who barked when the Carolers started singing made me laugh ,Ann. Would you please consider doing a blog post about the history behind,”Oh Come,Oh Come Emmanuel”? Thanks and Merry Christmas,Em 😍Isaiah 51😍
Author
Glad the post made you smile, Emily. I looked up the history of the song “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel” but didn’t find too much. I’ll have to dig deeper. Merry Christmas to you too. 🙂
I was carolling today at a nursing home with a karaoke group I sing with. We also sang other Christmas songs like I’ll be Home With Bells On. It is such a great feeling to bring music to the elderly as even the ones who seem lost in their memories seem to respond to music and start singing with us. They are so lonesome and some have no family or have family who has no time for them. This is such a wonderful ministry and I hope I am able to do it for a few years to come. Our church also goes to a retirement home to sing hymns with them once a month.
Author
What a blessing you and your church surely are to those at the nursing home you visit, Marjorie! I do think that songs and melodies are something that lingers in our minds even when other memories slip past reach. Music can make a person happy and people caring enough to come visit no doubt makes those elderly nursing patients even happier.
I’ve never been caroling and I’ve never been caroled to. Is that even a word??? 😊 However, I loved the stories you shared about the caroling experiences. Congratulations, again, to the winners! Merry Christmas to all! 🎄🎄🎄
Yes, Dear Sister, you have been caroling. I have been caroling with you. Here’s a hint . . . Luminaries bedecked walkways, cookies and hot chocolate in your neighbor’s and your driveway.
Author
Always great to have a sibling to remind you about something you may have let slip out of memory, Karen. And thanks GB for awakening that memory for her and letting us share as we imagine walking down those walkways and drinking hot chocolate.
Thanks for jogging my memory!
❤️😊❤️
I remember in Highschool French class we practiced French Carols such as Bring the Torch Jeannette Isabella. Then we went singing down the halls. That was over 50 years ago.
Many years later, our Church group sang at a Nursing home and we went to Church member’s houses., then went back to the Pastor’s house for chili and hot chocolate and cookies.
Author
So, can you still sing those French carols, Paula? What a great experience though to be able to go caroling in French at your school. I think any time people take the time to spread a little Christmas cheer to those in a nursing home, they are blessed with the giving as well as their giving being a blessing to those who listen.
When we was on the volunteer fire dept we used to go caroling every year. One house we went to every year ,as we gathered around the bed to sing to the husband while he lay sick.We sang extra songs to him.He passed before the morning came (we was called out on rescue squad duties back to his bedside)but he really enjoyed the singing.
Author
That is such a great story, Lisa. You sang him right into heaven. What a gift you gave him that night and his family too. Thanks for sharing.