Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: December 20th, 2021. If it wasn’t so cold this week, I would ask you if you would like to go Caroling with Charlie and I. But I think we will stay inside and practice learning Carols for next year.
Go Caroling Day– always observed on December 20th.
Christmas carols were very popular decades ago, before there was digital entertainment to distract us. As it became more and more uncommon to sing along to Carols, Go Caroling Day revives and preserves this classic tradition.
HISTORY OF GO CAROLING DAY
It is widely believed that caroling on Christmas started in 1223 at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. He thought that it was merrier to sing songs full of joy and fun during the Holidays, instead of solemn Hymns. He also started the live Nativity scene.
Did you know Caroling has been around even longer than Christmas itself and caroling was part of many religious observances and practices Centuries ago. Christmas carols are essentially a subset of Christmas Music, whereas Caroling specifically refers to the act of singing this broad category of Christmas songs.
The Christmas Carol is also known as a Noel or a song or Hymn. These Carols have a unique shared characteristic sound, which is based on the musical chord patterns of Medieval Times. Popular Christmas Carols were composed before the 20th Century. In modern times, new Carols have been written. A few popular Christmas Carols are ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Jingle Bells’, and ‘Away in a Manger’. Along with many modern Carols composed by Alfred Burt.
During the Middle Ages, another popular trend similar to Caroling started, known as ‘Wassailing’. Which is a a reference to the Alcoholic beverage called ‘Wassail’. The songs that were sung were vulgar and rude in nature, and therefore viewed by the Church as irreligious.
Whether it was gathering around the Piano in the living room, or the arrival of Carolers on doorsteps in the neighborhood, caroling was a heavily practiced tradition in which people enthusiastically participated.
Christmas Caroling has commonly been referred to in old classics. Whether in the story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens or the film “It’s a Wonderful Life”, it is guaranteed that, at some point, warmly bedecked Carolers will arrive, singing traditional songs loudly for Christmas.
Go Caroling Day is a wonderful, rewarding, and memory filled day. By far more popular decades ago, Christmas holiday caroling remains a great opportunity to enjoy the holiday and appreciate its meaning, by going out in a group to sing Christmas carols.
Christmas caroling remains popular in many area and among many groups. Scouts, church, and youth groups often partake in this special musical event. Even family parties and business parties sometimes produce an impromptu caroling sing-a-long.
If you need the song lyrics for your favorite Christmas carol? Check out this website Find the lyrics now.
It may take a little planning to make Christmas Caroling happen. If you can’t get people to join you. Then you might look up Scout Groups because they frequently go Caroling to Nursing Homes or Senior Citizen Centers. A phone call to the facility to arrange a date and time is a must. Transportation to/from the facility also must be arranged. Afterwards, the Caroling event is concluded with Hot Chocolate and Cookies.
HOW TO CELEBRATE GO CAROLING DAY
- Look up lyrics to a new Carol which could be a modern composition, or an old classic, and sing along to the song around the house.
- As the name of the Holiday suggests, go Caroling with your friends and family. Sing all the Christmas songs you sang growing up and who knows, you may even get strangers to participate.
- If you have a musical instrument in your house, including a Guitar or a Keyboard, host a Caroling party at your place just like they used to do in the olden days.
5 FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS CAROLS
- The first Carols sung thousands of years ago in Europe were Pagan Songs in the Winter Solstice.
- Carols were originally composed to be sung throughout the Seasons, but only the Christmas tradition of singing them has survived.
- Most Carols from the Elizabethan period were loosely based around the Christmas story but were otherwise untrue. Compared to Religious songs, they were just meant to be entertaining.
- Before Carol singing was a thing, professional Carol singers called ‘Waits’ would band together and be conducted by important local leaders of the Community.
- Elvis released his version of ‘White Christmas’ in 1957. The song’s composer Irving Berlin tried to ban White Christmas from being played on the Radio.
WHY EVERYONE LOVES GO CAROLING DAY
- We don’t know why Caroling went out of style. Who doesn’t like singing loudly, not to mention with the intention of spreading cheer and joy? This is the perfect Holiday to walk arm-in-arm with family and celebrate the Holidays.
- Carols aren’t just songs to be sung around Christmas time, they are a testimony to tales in history. Preserving these traditions is like preserving works of art.
- With the Holiday Season comes Winter Blues, and people who are alone on Christmas are just waiting to hear from someone at their door. That friendly old neighbor of yours who lives alone just head on over to their doorstep and get singing.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
