Here We Come A Caroling
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 12/29/2009 at 8:00 AM
Matt's post about Christmas carols reminded me of a favorite family tradition: singing carols. For the past few years, my dad, sisters and I have sung carols outside the church for the Christmas Eve service. Some years we've even dressed in Victorian garb and knocked on neighbors' doors. Watch the video to see us sing "Joy to the World" -- and enjoy the cameo of my nephew.
Other things we seem to always do as a family around Christmas:
- Eat
- Watch White Christmas
- Eat
- Play games
- Eat
- Record silly videos
- And, of course ... eat
What Christmas week traditions do you enjoy with your family? What are some of your best memories of Christmas?
My Christmas was different this year. We visited my husband's family for Christmas ... and started some new traditions of our own. But when I see my family this weekend, I'm sure we'll be up to our old tricks -- including a few robust verses of "Joy to the World."
1. Lauren P. said the following at 8:41 AM on Dec 29:
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My family, along with a few others, always sings Christmas carols and songs to the people of our local nursing home. We have been doing this for the past 12 or 13 years. After we sing, we all go to my house to eat chilli and watch a movie.
THe caroling always brings tears to my eyes because we see the lost, forgotten, and near-death. It can be both a joyful experience and a sorrowful one. There is a man, Ron, who has cerebral palsy, but every year we take him caroling with us and he sings each song with all his might. He is such a blessing to both us and the other residents. Each person's story is unique and we try to listen to anyone who wants us to. It brings young children and adults together to comfort and cheer these people. I love seeing how the small children always light up the faces of the men and women. It is definitely my favorite Christmas tradition.
2. Rnr said the following at 9:39 AM on Dec 29:
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So sweet! Thanks for sharing this video :).
3. farmer Tom said the following at 12:05 PM on Dec 29:
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Suzanne,
You do realize that "Joy to the World" is not really a Christmas song don't you?
It is actually talking about the millennial kingdom.
A neighbor family and my family went caroling to some of the other neighbors.
Our church goes caroling to the shut-ins and elderly folks as well, so we went caroling twice this year.
4. Tamara (from Canada) said the following at 2:09 PM on Dec 29:
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My family definitely has a few Christmas week traditions. Probably my favourite is making brunch together on Christmas morning. We always go all out - making crepes, waffles, fruit sauces, etc. My family rarely actually all cooks together so it's a lot of fun to all be in the kitchen together trying to get it done and getting in everyone's way the whole time.
5. Nicole (from Boston) said the following at 12:52 PM on Jan 1:
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We call the day after Thanksgiving "Christmaquas" and we decorate the tree and drink eggnog and eat turtles (the candy, not the animal), listen to "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration", and watch White Christmas. It's a bigger family day than Christmas or Thanksgiving for us. :)