TERRE HAUTE — Last Saturday evening, our family was gathered at my mother’s house. My sister’s family had come from Kentucky. My son’s family had come from Indianapolis. A couple of cousins had joined in. There we were. Four children clutching their new toys and contentedly eating cake and ice cream. Eleven adults sitting on every available seat in the living room. We were talking and laughing and missing the ones who weren’t able to be with us.
We were surprised by the ring of the doorbell. Christmas carolers. “Are you Mrs. Adams?” they asked my mother. Then, for 10 minutes, about 15-20 teenagers, huddling in the cold, sang their hearts out. They gave my mother a poinsettia plant, hailed us all with a “Merry Christmas, everyone” and off they went, already discussing where they would go next.
Later, my curious granddaughter asked, “Why do people go Christmas caroling?” I said it was a tradition. She asked, “Why is a tradition?” I said I didn’t know. She asked, “When did people start doing that?” I said I didn’t know. She asked, “Why did they come to Grandma’s house to sing?” Now, that one I did know. They were a group of teenagers called YES – Youth Embracing Service. They had called VistaCare, an organization that gives medical and emotional support to the terminally ill, and asked for the names of their patients. Their visit was the highlight of our evening.
My granddaughter’s questions made me curious. So I went on a fact-finding mission and found out some interesting things. Anyone for a game of Christmas Trivial Pursuit?
For instance, I learned that Christmas was declared a federal holiday by Congress in 1870. Retail stores first began advertising Christmas sales in 1820. In 1867, three years before the federal holiday declaration, Macy’s in New York City stayed open till midnight on Christmas Eve to allow last-minute shoppers time to make their purchases. And in Britain, while Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England ruled that fair land from 1653-1658, his Puritan sensibilities were offended by the excesses of the Christmas celebration, and he cancelled Christmas during his rule. No Christmas trees. No Christmas presents. No Christmas carols. Bah humbug, indeed, Mr. Cromwell.
As for Christmas caroling, I had always pictured well-talented and perfectly-harmonizing singers dressed in Dickens-ish costumes with friendly smiles and happy songs filled with wishes for peace on earth and goodwill to men. You know. Christmas card stuff. But that’s probably not how it all got started.
In 336 A.D., after declaring Christianity as the Roman Empire’s favored religion, Emperor Constantine set aside a day to celebrate Christ’s Mass – December 25 – the day after the two-week long excessive celebration honoring Saturn, the Roman god of the sun. Church leaders agreed, hoping the celebration of the Son of God would bring the people more religion and less orgy. It was a good thought, and it must have worked. After all, when was the last time you knew anyone to celebrate Saturnalia?
But with Christmas coming so close on the heels of all that Roman merry-making, it was bound to take on some of Saturnalia’s festivities for its own. Caroling was one of those things. During Saturnalia, carolers went door to door singing in order to line their pockets with the money they would demand from those to whom they were singing. The carolers kept on singing – probably loudly and off-key to annoy the neighbors – till the homeowner gave them money – probably to stop singing.
The first Christmas carolers did the same thing. Gather a group of friends and knock on someone’s door and start singing. And keep singing till they were given something. I guess we can get a glimpse of that persistent begging in the last two verses of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” You know, where they demand “Now bring us some figgy pudding” and then promise they “won’t go until they get some!” Thank goodness, we’ve outgrown all that and now carolers really do sing of peace and goodwill to all their listeners.
What brought about the change? Why do the carolers of today sing without wanting anything? Why is it that they stand in the cold and in the dark, singing to people sitting in a nice warm house?
Perhaps it’s because thankfully, we are far from Saturnalia. We have chosen to celebrate the birth of a Savior. Sure, there’s a lot of hype and commercialism and way too much food. But when we get right down to it, we know what Christmas is all about. We know why Christmas carolers sing their carols.
It’s because there was a child. A long-awaited Savior who was born in a stable, laid in a manger, heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds, sought after by wise men.
Think about that Child who was born to set the world free. It just might change how you sing Christmas songs this year.
Verna Davis may be reached through her Web site, www.TheJoyLady.com.
Religion
The Joy Lady: Think about the Child in Christmas songs
- Religion
-
-
THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
-
Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
-
THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
-
THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
-
Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
-
BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
-
THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
-
New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
-
Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
-
THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
-
Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
-
THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
-
THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
-
First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
-
Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
-
THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
-
Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
-
THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
-
Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
-
Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
- More Religion Headlines
-
THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Turkey's first face transplant
Adele's revealing "60 Minutes" interview
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
Lusetich: AT&T Recap
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
Grammys 2012: Highlights
2.12: Pebble Beach Pro-Am -- Phil Mickelson
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
