Mark ye well the songs we sing,
Gladsome tidings now we bring!
Ding dong, ding dong,
Christmas bells are ringing.
- Alfred Burt, “Caroling Caroling”
Those words are from a wonderful Christmas song that began as a Christmas card and has become a beloved holiday classic.
Every Christmas for more than a dozen years, starting while he was an officer during World War II, and continuing until his untimely death at age 33 from lung cancer, composer and trumpeter Alfred Burt would compose a new carol every year and send it out with his Christmas cards.
I had the pleasure last weekend of singing three of his songs, along with many other holiday favorites, at my favorite new Twin Cities tradition, the second-annual Christmas Chorale. My friend and former music teacher, David Judd, leads the chorale with his talented wife, Vicki.
And while that experience is incredible, I’m equally excited for another musical outing this weekend.
If all goes well (God willing and the creek don’t rise), I’ll have spent this morning out in the rain, singing for an hour with a small group of carolers at the monthly distribution of food to our friends and neighbors in need, hosted by Bethel Church in downtown Centralia.
And I hope to bring my family out over the coming evenings to sing Christmas carols to folks in our own neighborhood.
Are you a caroler?
I hope you said yes, because in truth, everyone with a voice is a caroler. You might not have used that voice recently, but Christmas is a time when everyone can (and I think really should) sing a few songs for their neighbors. Or grab a few friends and walk the halls of a local nursing home. Your little group could even spend a couple minutes next to your local Salvation Army bell ringer, adding song to his or her merry bells.
Honestly, caroling isn’t even so much about the music. It’s about spending time with family and friends as you walk or drive from house to house. And it’s about building, renewing and strengthening connections with neighbors and friends.
The look of surprise and pleasure on their face when they hear the strains of “Joy to the World” as they open their front door is just a treat all around.
They might just invite you in for a cookie and a few words of conversation. Or maybe you’ll leave them with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and you’ll simply know that you’ve given a gift, not only of music, but of joy and kindness.
In a time of alienation and hostility, that’s a Christmas miracle itself.
If you’re looking for a songbook, you can download one with two dozen favorites (ready to print) at www.bit.ly/Christmas-Songbook-Highlights. And if you’re really looking to dig into Christmas carols, I’ve collected more than 75 songs, from “The Angel Gabriel” to “White Christmas,” in this comprehensive holiday songbook at www.bit.ly/Christmas-Songbook.
I’ll also offer you this friendly get-out-of-December-merrily card: the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas day itself. You can (and I think really should) celebrate Christmas all through the 12 days, up until Jan. 5. If anyone gives you a strange look, say on Jan. 4, just warmly call out, “Merry 11th day of Christmas!” and they’ll get the picture.
Oh, and don’t give me this “I can’t sing” nonsense. Everyone can sing. You might be surprised at the power of enthusiasm and the spirit of Christmas. I think you’ll be proud of yourself for your boldness when you stand next to others and belt out the greatest songs of the year.
Hey, you might even experience a Christmas miracle if and when you lift up your voice in song.
At the very least, you’ll have made Christmas brighter for a neighbor, and that’s a valuable gift, indeed.
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Are you making any New Year’s resolutions? I’d be interested in hearing them. Send me an email at the address below. I’m most interested in hearing about how you are re-orienting yourself to become more involved in your community, building the kind of bonds our community and especially our nation needs right now.
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Brian Mittge will be singing in the rain this weekend. Send him your New Year’s resolutions and your favorite Christmas song at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
