Here is a twist on an interview with myself about a favorite holiday song. An essay seemed like it worked better than a question and answer format.
Journaling: The church is dimmed and the only light comes from the candles and the few strands of white Christmas lights. The smell of evergreens and incense fill the air. Allof our friends a nd family are gathered for the big occasion and for a night of fun. I am standing in the front dressed in white and pearls next to my handsome groom waiting for the pianist to play. When the soloist begins, shivers run up my spine. Silent night, holy night.
Silent Night is my favorite Christmas song of all times and it takes me back to
some of the happiest times in my life. Hearing the holiday hymn reminds me of church
music programs as a kid, first going to Midnight Mass, and hearing it sung at our
wedding.
The advent season marks the beginning of rehearsing for the Christmas Eve Childrens program. All the youngsters come to the pews to rehearse every Sunday after the service. We would wait in anticipation for what our speaking part would be and who would be chosen for he coveted roles of Mary and Joseph. The choir director would stand at the piano and play and as we would sing over and over songs like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in the Manger, and my favorite, Silent Night. The program was a big deal as we would wear our new Christmas dress and gather with all my extended family to ring in the season. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild.
I am not a talented singer. I cannot read music to save my life and the only time you hear me belting out tunes is in my car or in the shower. But there are some songs I feel confident in singing in front of a crowds and that is Christmas songs. Maybe it familiarity or the time of the year, but everyone joins in, even my dad. He is a quiet man and not the singing type, but at the holidays, he can be heard joining with the congregation as we all sing all the verses to Silent Night. Its like angels singing as it fills the church.
It is that sound that reminds me of the first time I went to Midnight Mass with my new boyfriend, Darin. The Catholic Church was new and mysterious to me as I was raised Lutheran along with all my extended family. That night was magical. The church was filled with poinsettias and everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. The whole church was packed in the pews and balcony for the late night service. The music started the whole audience exploded with the sounds of Silent Night. I had never heard so many people sign in celebration before. It was loud, harmonious, and beautiful!
So five years later when Darin and I decided to get married in December, it was that sound that we wanted to duplicated at our wedding. We choose Silent Night for the hymn that everybody would sing during the service. Our two good friends, Pat and
Mickey would create the music, Mickey on the piano and Pat singing. Once again it brought goose bumps to my arms and a smile to my face as we all stood to give thanks and praise with All is calm. All is bright.
Twelve years later, we are still happily married and I convert to Catholicism. The holidays are our familys favorite time of the year as we put up the tree together and hang up our stockings. The car radio is tuned to Christmas music as we go shopping for all ofour family and friends. My two boys now join in as we sing Jingle Bells and Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. But there will always be a special place for Silent Night. Just hearing it takes me back to Christmas pasts as a child at the church Christmas
program, hearing it sung at Midnight mass as a teenager in love, or singing it with all our family and friends at our wedding. So as another holiday season begins, I hope you will join me in a verse or two, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Materials: Joanne Brisebois's Family Tree kit and Danielle Young's chateaubreaux pearl buttons.
