I love Christmas music. Not the music that is played in elevators or in the stores. My favorite Christmas music isn’t even the wonderful music that we hear in churches and concert halls this time of the year.

My favorite Christmas music is found when we sing in the car or living room or kitchen. My favorite Christmas music is sung by family members and friends and sometimes even strangers at the store. I love to hear people sing the songs of the season.

Note that I didn’t say that I like to hear everyone sing. I like hearing them sing Christmas music. It is so much fun when someone starts a carol and everyone joins in. It doesn’t matter if we don’t know all of the words or if we can even carry a tune. Just sing out.

Several years ago, Big Lots had a sale in July that included aluminum, Christmas tree shaped cake pans with plastic lids. I bought all that they had and put them in the pantry until December. One Saturday, I baked Christmas cakes. That night, we took the 18 cakes, met up with two friends and went Christmas caroling. What fun –  singing and delivering cakes!

At a friend’s house a few days ago, she shouted out, “Let’s sing.” And, we sang and sang and sang. We would begin a song in one key and end up a couple of keys lower by the time we were done. But, it was delightful!

I will never forget singing that special night in that tiny living room. A group of us sang every Christmas song we could think of and then sang every other song we knew. We were loud and off key and the rafters shook with the “joyful noise.”

While growing up, there was always a moment on Christmas Eve when we would pile into the car and drive around Olathe, Kansas, to “see the lights.” As we toured the neighborhoods, we would sing. “Angels We have Heard on High” would ring in two or three part harmony. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” always included the “we all want some figgy pudding” verse. And, “Silent Night” never sounded sweeter than when we sang it as a family.

“Well”, one might ask, “didn’t all of this singing at Christmas start with the angels? ”  Actually, the answer is no. Luke 2 says that they “said” rather than “sang.” Check it out: ^“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)  (I once won a party game by knowing that piece of Christmas trivia!)

Are you ready to sing Christmas songs later this week? Why not make a “joyful noise”? It might be just the thing to get over the awkward moment with that new family member.  Try it – what do you have to lose?

And, while you are at it, why not think about the words and be blessed?

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

p.s. Need some help with the words? Try this site: http://www.bluebonkers.com/song_sheets/christmas_lyrics/