23 December
3 x 3 = 9
Single digits!!!
The one thing I miss this season of Christmas is all the Carols by Candlelight services. The Christmas Carols concerts. The versions of Christmas carols that I have learnt to sing at different venues, churches, functions. To wholeheartedly be awoken by the music of Christmas to Christmas. To become one with the music and the message of the music. To feel the Christmas spirit through the music. To sing with a whole bunch of people around me for the joy of singing, for faith, for love, for hope, for us, for you, for God. The camaraderie of group singing, choir singing, singing, belting it out … loud, wrong words, right words, heart bursting, high notes and low notes and all kinds of other things.
Usually this time of year we would be singing the last Christmas Carol services and / or events. I would be so tired this time of the year and wondering why i do this every year. This year, no carolling. There’s a level of sadness, almost grief. It is part of Christmas for me. Whether I am part of the performance or just in the audience. Christmas carols in the open night sky. Kirstenbosch Gardens or Oude Libertas with Maestro Richard Cock at the helm with all his beautiful Christmas anecdotes and interactions. And of course any other random ‘we need singers for Christmas carols’ vibe! I love the singing of it! It’s part of who I am.
What’s my favourite carol? O Holy Night. I think. The little drummer boy. O come all ye faithful. Hark the Herald. There’s so many. Each carrying its own meaning, weight, love and contribution to Christmas over centuries. New songs? Mary did you know. Blew me away from the first time I heard it.
The season this time has me thinking about the things I so often take for granted, the things I did because I always did it. It’s like a December habit. I was always just there. Singing those descants to the carols. It’s like a part of my Christmas has been taken away and left an empty’ gaping hole. I supposed many of us feel like this about the Covid 19 pandemic. Many things have been taken away from us without having a choice. What do we do with that? How do we process that? Does gratitude play a role in this time? What are we saying thank you for?
I miss the live music, the random people saying “Merry Christmas”, the huge smiles, the hugs, the love, the laughter. Even the tired. The Christmas messages from all over the world, the Christmas messages in churches. Mostly the music gatherings and the smiles and joy that goes with it.
So, what is the point of this post?
To say:
Thank you for the music.
Music is life!
In the process I am watching a myriad of Christmas shows and concerts on YouTube to fill this gap. It’s not the same, but it’s edifying. I learn. I get ideas. And apart from that … I’m singing!
KarisMatiek 