Christmas Carols

It's been years since I've been out with a group of people to sing Christmas carols.

When I was a kid, I was part of the folk choir and we sung at weddings and on Sundays at the 'folk' mass. There is something very soothing about joining your voice with others in song, the rhythm of breath uniting with the same inhale and exhale.

I was 11 when my father died suddenly, in early November. In early December, the choir Director decided to go Christmas caroling. I showed up for every practise, taking comfort in being a small part of a big, beautiful sound.

The night we went Christmas caroling, it was snowing white-fluffy-fat-flakes. We sang and knocked on doors the distance between the church and my house - walking the same mile I took back and forth every day to school. Doors were flung open and people were happy to see us and hear us sing.

... and then we got to my street... and my house... and my mom opened the door. To my wonderment, the whole choir stepped inside with gifts for my brothers and sister and me. It was one of the kindnesses that helped my family get through the first Christmas without my Dad.

Truly in the spirit of Christmas, and one of the nicest memories I have about the true spirit of giving.

This is one of the carols we sang that night, and one of my favourites, still.


Lyrics to Angels We Have Heard On High
(French carol, ca. 1862)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing over the plains
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

Shepherds, why this Jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord,
The newborn King
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o

See Him in a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o
Glo-ori-a
In excelsis de-o