A certain Saint-who-shall-remain-nameless has been on my case for not posting anything about music. Well hopefully this will go some way to appeasing him….!
Last week the community orchestra I play in was rehearsing for a performance. Most of the short program was made up of classical pieces: Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Brahms Hungarian Dance number 5 and Strauss’ Die Fleidermaus” (which I found out last night means “the flying mouse” i.e. the bat!). Since it’s Christmas time, or as we say in the predominantly Jewish orchestra “Holiday time”, we planned to finish the program with a medley of Christmas carols by Leroy Anderson.
I love Christmas carols. I love the melodies, the words, the memories of singing with family and friends every year for as long as I can remember. Most of all, I love the fact that they are special to this time of year. If we break out into a rendition of “Hark the Herald…” in the middle of August it sounds ridiculous, even blasphemous. But strangely enough, that’s how these tunes hit me at last week’s rehearsal. They felt uncomfortable, silly, out-of-place, like we were playing them in the middle of August. “I’m just not ready for Christmas”, was my only conclusion, but my discomfort seemed to be more than that explanation could account for.
The truth is, I have rarely felt ready for Christmas. My family were always “Bah, Humbug!” about the whole thing. Two unsociable parents and an obligation to host relatives who didn’t like each other made for a day that had to be endured rather than enjoyed. So, we could listen to the carols, see the decorations, buy the presents, feel the excitement building in preparation for…….a big day of parents complaining and Aunt Gina filling up the house with cigarette smoke. No wonder it was hard to feel joyful. It was Christmas without God, a celebration of the Gospel without an ounce of grace.
Thankfully those days are gone and my sister and I have branched out on our own. We are in the rare situation of being able to do anything we want at Christmas- a blank canvas. It’s liberating, but also slightly unnerving without any traditions to cling on to. So what does Christmas mean to us now? How do we want to celebrate? Here’s my revised Christmas list:
Rest
Christmas carols
Friends
Family
Food
A real Christmas tree (because of the smell).
The orchestra performed Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” last night, and what a difference a week makes! I played with a new enthusiasm-Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Silent Night. This year, I’m shaking off Christmas past and looking forward to the present, celebrating God With Us, God With Me.
Philomena
Dear Philomena,
The delight in Christmas carols at Christmas reminded me of singing with our girls 'Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tomb bestowing life!'. It is sung only at Pascha (Easter) to a tune used only for those words. During Lent our church music changes to a minor key. During all the longer Fasts, our priest wears a wooden pectoral cross instead of a silver one.
It is wonderful to have music and other traditions to mark the year. Enjoy sanctifying this holy time - may it lengthen and encompass the whole year.
Beth
Posted by: Beth | December 17, 2006 at 12:42 PM
Philomena,
How nice to see "rest" on your list of traditions this Christmas. We need to do more of that! It's wise to make it a priority. The busyness often pushes Jesus right out of the manger this time of year!
Best,
Lucy
Posted by: lucy pevensie | December 19, 2006 at 02:09 PM