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
-
-
Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Church briefs
-
Ministry seeks funds for fans
Covenant Cooperative Ministry is collecting financial contributions to purchase electric fans for the Summer Fan Program.
-
It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up
I first wrote the following words in November 2004. Unfortunately, things don’t appear to have changed all that much. So, here goes — prepare yourselves for a “rerun.”
-
I admit it. I cry. A lot.
I admit it. I cry. A lot. I cry when I watch TV, for those Hallmark commercials get me every time. I have even cried while watching reruns of Law and Order, for goodness’ sake!
-
Church briefs: May 19, 2012
Church briefs
-
Don’t let a grudge rob you of living in peace with others
In 1870, Julia Ward Howe asked for “all women in all places to all rise up and oppose all wars.” She called it A Mother’s Day for Peace. The idea never caught on.
-
Church Briefs: May 12, 2012
Church briefs
-
THE JOY LADY: A few last words that should be taken to heart
My husband and I rarely argue. The more we live together, the more we agree with each other, and we have found that arguing just isn’t worth the effort.
- Church Briefs: April 28, 2012
-
THE JOY LADY: April 28, 2012
Last Sunday, as we do most every Sunday, my husband and I went out for dinner after church with some friends.
-
Christian recording artist endorses Valley author’s book
Bryan Duncan, Dove and Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian music pioneer singer and songwriter, recently endorsed Clay County author Marjorie E. Hopkins’ book.
“Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife,” is a “must read,” Duncan said. -
Indiana female priest challenges Catholic church
A former Catholic nun went through an ordination ceremony in Indianapolis to become a priest in defiance of the church’s ban on women becoming priests.
-
CHURCH BRIEFS: April 14, 2012
Terre Haute St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Services Sunday in the historic church at 217 N. Seventh St. include Eucharists at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday school and middle/high school youth group meet at 9 a.m. Afterward, join the camaraderie, coffee and conversation in the Great Hall. -
THE JOY LADY: Worship never has been and never will be about us
King David was a mighty warrior, a popular leader, a talented musician and a prolific hymn writer.
-
Seminar on ‘Caring for the Barren Woman’
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at 645 Poplar St. in Terre Haute, across from Vigo County Public Library, invites the greater Terre Haute community to a free seminar at 11:30 a.m. April 21.
-
Easter services at St. Mary-of-the-Woods: A Miracle Retold
The miracle of a risen Christ doesn’t stop at an empty tomb, church leaders told the devout on a brilliant Sunday morning.
-
Ministry to screen families for free food distribution
Covenant Cooperative Ministry will begin screening 400 families by taking applications
-
THE JOY LADY: Perhaps we understand what we want and disregard the rest
March Madness is over, and I’m going to miss all those wonderful basketball games on TV. I don’t understand how people aren’t inspired by a game of basketball.
-
Church to offer Financial Peace University series
New Providence Presbyterian Church announces an upcoming Financial Peace University class series for all area residents beginning at 2 p.m. CDT April 15 at the church at 1751 N. 2250th St. in Paris.
-
Church briefs: April 7, 2012
Children’s Religious Education begins at 10:50 - There are two groups, youth ages 5 to 9 and Tweens, ages 10 and up. Child care for younger children is provided for the entire service.
-
THE JOY LADY: In April or any month, you’re foolish if you deny God for lack of understanding
On April 1, 1957, BBC reporter Richard Dimbleby announced that because of an extremely mild winter, the dreaded spaghetti weevil was virtually eliminated.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 31, 2012
-
Interactive ‘Passion in the Park’ beginning Thursday in Fairbanks Park
An interactive nondenominational community-performed drama of the Easter story, “Passion in the Park,” will be staged Thursday through April 8 at Fairbanks Park. Nightly shows will be at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
-
Sisters of Providence plan ‘Come and See Weekend’ April 13-15
The Sisters of Providence will host a “Come and See Weekend” April 13-15 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Catholic women ages 18-42 who are considering a call to apostolic religious life are invited to attend.
-
THE JOY LADY: ADo you ever wonder if people frustrate God?
Throughout the years, our family has had its share of pets. We’ve loved and buried hamsters, tropical fish, little bitty turtles, dogs, cats and other assorted critters.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
-
Wise men and women are always learning
Reality has hit me like a medicine cabinet full of Metamucil. I am officially — oh, dare I say it — growing older.
-
‘Make It, Bake It, Grow It’ dinner and auction set
Armstrong United Methodist Church, on U.S. 40, east of Marshall, Ill., will host its 11th annual “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” dinner and auction on March 24.
-
Church Briefs, March 17, 2012
Church briefs
- More Religion Headlines
-
Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Beryl Knocks Out Power in Florida
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Memorial Day Aboard Intrepid
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
