Christmas Carols 2010

There is a radio station in Chicago that plays 100% Christmas carols beginning before Thanksgiving, and being 24/7, this station doesn't restrict its music to beautiful Mormon Tabernacle choir renditions of traditional carols. One hears "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" as often as a lovely version of "O Holy Night".

Some folks, of course, hate the 24 hour barrage of Christmas music - especially the songs that really have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. My church is one that continues the tradition of Advent, meaning that we sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and other anticipatory hymns through the weeks leading up to Christmas, saving Christmas carols for the Christmas season that just begins on December 24--in spite of the world view that Christmas is over on the 25th. It's common to bemoan the idea that children "don't learn traditional Christmas carols anymore" because they are no longer sung in schools and churches don't sing them until--gasp--Christmas.

This year I have become quite mellow about carols as I have experienced the power of carols of all types in unusual ways.

(1) Yes, there was a Christmas program at church and, yes, the little three year old "sheep" dozed off on the steps, the "kings" announced their arrival quite off-key, and the mics weren't always able to catch the older children's voices as they spoke. The grandparents who traveled through treacherous snowy weather that afternoon loved every minute of it. The dads stood in the aisles videotaping their children. It was as it should be.

My friend, who lost her husband Thanksgiving weekend, sang along with the adult choir that day and, in the midst of grief, remembered and celebrated the reason for the season. That was also as it should be.

(2) A few days later adults and children from church caroled at a local train station during rush hour. Commuters exited the train in the required "Don't look at anyone and walk quickly to my car" fashion, but every one broke that commuter rule and gave a big smile as they walked past our anything but professional group. It was as it should be.

(3) Later that week we attended the holiday party at the nursing home. The residents and their guests represented a wide variety of religions and cultures,but all were obviously touched by the traditional melodies they heard. When Santa distributed a specially chosen gift to every resident, the excitement was palpable. Seeing a resident's huge smile over a "snugli" or piece of costume jewelry was at least as exciting as watching our own young children years ago attack a pile of gifts. Christian, Jew, Muslim or atheist; cognitively aware or not; surrounded by family or not; disabled or not; all got caught up in "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and it was as it should be.

(4) Last night was our regular night to serve at the "community kitchen". As the guests waited, one of the staff members sat in the corner playing his guitar and singing carols somewhat off key. The macho type men pretended to ignore the music, but heads were bobbing in rhythm. A middle-aged woman who uses a power chair wheeled herself to the front of the room and, in a beautiful soprano voice, sang harmony and the room became silent. Later the cook was called from the kitchen to hear her favorite song, "Frosty the Snowman". Then we were into José Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" and many servers and guests spontaneously were literally dancing in the aisles. A group of strangers, servers and those served, became one and it was as it should be.

As a Spanish teacher I used to rail against "Feliz Navidad" being the song everyone knows when there are so many stunningly beautiful traditional Spanish carols to sing.

Last night, it was the most beautiful carol in the world!

I will love singing religious carols in the cocoon of my church later this week, but treasure these reminders that Christ comes in many unusual ways and in unlikely settings. ¡Feliz Navidad!