PEACE – The 4th Advent

We have made it to the 4^th Advent Sunday and the last candle has that beautiful name, the one that calls upon us all to be kind and calm and live together in harmony. Surely there can be no lovelier word in the English language than peace? Except perhaps love. And maybe joy. Oh, how could I leave out hope? The four candles of Advent are together at last and, between them, bringing peace to the world. I hope that you are enjoying even a hint of that greatness as Christmas draws nigh and the year rolls swiftly to an end.

With my gradual return to the world of Ardley comes my collection of Myer Christmas CDs, loud and on repeat. Truly, there is no music like Christmas music. I love all of it. The traditional carols. Silent Night, Good King Wenceslaus, Jingle Bells and Away In A Manger. These seem to be carved into my soul, I couldn’t tell you when they first came into my life and can only assume mum and dad sang them to me in the womb. I learned to play them as a child taking piano lessons, Joy to the World is still one that my fingers remember how to play and the words come to me effortlessly. Silent Night rings of memories of sitting with dad on a Sunday morning as he played the guitar and we sang with him. Over the years these CDs introduced me to more contemporary versions of the older carols as well as new songs that seeped into my psyche. Yes, He’s too fat for the chimney needs another mention. There are dance moves that go along with it now!!!

Like so many other Christmas traditions, carols have their roots in pagan rituals appropriated by the nascent Christian Church when, in the 4th century, it officially named Christmas the celebration of Christ Jesus' birth. The first carols were liturgical songs, with little in common with what we might call carols today.

At the same time, the practice of "wassailing" in early modern Europe gave rise to the door-to-door phenomenon – though it was rejected as a sin by the Puritans, because it was associated with heavy drinking and rowdiness. The rise of peaceful, "modern" singing of Christmas hymns, either in church or on the streets, came in vogue in the Victorian Era.

It's during this period that the famed "Good King Wenceslas" was written, and that "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "The First Noel," and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" were popularized.

Let’s be honest, though. There is no proper celebration of the festive season in song without a rendition of Amazing Grace. Venetta Fields and John Farnham, Myer Christmas CD 2004. I have to stop whatever I am doing and close my eyes, let the pure notes effortlessly take me with them into the heavens where I offer my grateful self to the world. It’s a hymn and a blessing and a prayer.

For me, though, the pinnacle of carols will forever be Hallelujah. No, I know it’s not actually a carol. But there is no time better than Christmas to allow the fluid, honey sweetness of that brilliance wash over you, seep into your very soul and bring out every emotion you could yearn for. Pentatonix brought forth a version that will send shivers down your spine and cause you to believe the world is golden. The original, so raw and honest, will bring tears to your eyes and find you running to your beloved for a hug. I wish I could share a version sung by my talented sister. There are no words to describe the transcendence she brings to those simple notes. I listen and want to fall to my knees in submission, so exquisite are her voice and those words in a marriage of love and peace.

I remember going to Carols in the park in Wangaratta to listen to my friend sing. The choir taught us to sing a round with them, the first time I had ever participated in a group performance like it. The experience of being a part of the music, singing with the people around me, rejoicing in the carol we shared, stayed with me forever. It is the basis of my love for carols and choir and singing with others. I think I seek a repeat of that unifying moment every time I go to community carols. It’s never been exactly the same (possible a function of ageing…) but the effort to find it has been more than rewarding of its own accord.

Community carols complete with candles and a visit from Santa in time for the littlies to get home in time for bed makes Christmas complete. When we were growing up we would go to carols with the Apex club and, at least once, to Christmas events with the factory where my dad worked. The appearance of Santa brought a thrill to my soul unequalled by anything else I’ve ever experienced in my life. He brought me a ballerina on a music stand one year. I loved her! I dreamed of one day wearing a tutu and leotard just like hers, my hair smooth and tied firmly in a bun, standing on pointe, dancing gracefully and perfectly to delicate music. It did remain a dream, graceful is something I have never been accused of!, but she was my North Star for years after that party.

We will pack our snacks and picnic rug and make the trip into Bendigo for carols tonight. It’s been a few years since we made the pilgrimage into town for this. No need to explain the last couple of years and the year or two before that we couldn’t make it thanks to other commitments. Not this year. I’m determined we will be there and I will sit on the rug with a real candle in my hand, cardboard collar around it to protect my hand from the wax, and I will sing. I make no promises of greatness but I will bring every ounce of energy I can conjure up to the tunes. Join me!

The Melbourne Myer Christmas Carols were for so many years a mainstay of my Christmas Eve. Somewhere along the way Carols in the Domain (the Sydney version, hmm) took that spot but, bright side, now I can sing along with both of them. This year we are spending Christmas Eve with the family. I hope that someone stands proudly and sings Hallelujah. Maybe we will be able to convince my sister to sing for us. I will have a candle ready. There could be no greater gift. I will sing with her and my heart will feel all the feels – joy, hope, love and peace. 

May you sing loud and free and feel all the feels. Merry Christmas! See you on December 25. I hope that Santa has lost a little weight and can fit down your #festiveflue!