DECEMBER
It was only late afternoon but winter had already deposited darkness upon the small town. And as the snow began to fall, adding to the blanket previously fallen, the moon came out. It was a full Kansas moon that glinted and gleamed against the frosty flakes making the landscape eerily, ghostly bright. There would be no need for a flashlight on a night such as this.
Bundled up, as only a mother can, the young boy went down the steps from his front door, out through the gated picket fence and headed toward the church which was only half a block away. There was an air of anticipation about him as he broke into a run toward his goal.
Some other children were already in the appointed meeting place, the church annex and together they waited for the rest of their friends to arrive. And, in due time, they did, rounding their number out to an even ten (or was it twelve?)
With no adults to supervise them, they set out on their journey. This was that counter-punch to the Halloween Trick or Treating when they took from the community. This was the night they gave back. This was the night of the Christmas Carols.
Their repertoire was small, only eight songs: "The First Noel," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "Oh, Come all Ye Faithful" and two that had no religious affiliations but were a joy to sing, "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells. And sing they did in three part harmony!
They would start one of the carols outside the house they had selected and then, when the occupants appeared, would take requests. Wending there way through town, not a house was missed and music filled the frosty air. It was a lovely seasonal tradition that one hopes continues to this day in similar small towns throughout the land. And while I may somewhat fantasize about it (there were years with no snow and flashlights were needed), it is still a memory that this once young boy cherishes. Forevermore. This is Christmas.
Bundled up, as only a mother can, the young boy went down the steps from his front door, out through the gated picket fence and headed toward the church which was only half a block away. There was an air of anticipation about him as he broke into a run toward his goal.
Some other children were already in the appointed meeting place, the church annex and together they waited for the rest of their friends to arrive. And, in due time, they did, rounding their number out to an even ten (or was it twelve?)
With no adults to supervise them, they set out on their journey. This was that counter-punch to the Halloween Trick or Treating when they took from the community. This was the night they gave back. This was the night of the Christmas Carols.
Their repertoire was small, only eight songs: "The First Noel," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "Oh, Come all Ye Faithful" and two that had no religious affiliations but were a joy to sing, "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells. And sing they did in three part harmony!
They would start one of the carols outside the house they had selected and then, when the occupants appeared, would take requests. Wending there way through town, not a house was missed and music filled the frosty air. It was a lovely seasonal tradition that one hopes continues to this day in similar small towns throughout the land. And while I may somewhat fantasize about it (there were years with no snow and flashlights were needed), it is still a memory that this once young boy cherishes. Forevermore. This is Christmas.
Comments
Post a Comment