Here We Come A-Caroling

For the past several years in New Jersey, my family hosted a Christmas caroling get-together, caroling through our neighborhood and at a nearby nursing home. This was a blessed time of fellowship and fun, as well as an opportunity to minister to our unsaved neighbors with songs remembering the precious gift of Christ’s birth. Always a special night, we would sing until our voices grew hoarse and then return to my home for food, drinks, games, and Christian fellowship.

Well, this Christmas season my family is in San Antonio, Texas. Missing is the beautiful cold, the chance for snow, the crisp night air tinged with that special scent reserved solely for frosty temperatures. Missing are the friends of my "younger" youth, my neighbors of fifteen+ years, the familiar haunts of my hometown. Yet these special passing gifts, wonderful as they were, were wonderful only because of God’s grace and His eternal gift of salvation to us. That eternal gift remains mine this year, and therefore this year I was able to enjoy the privilege of Christmas caroling with family and friends in the great city of San Antonio.

Last night our group of carolers descended upon the neighborhood of Fall Creek, gathering at my former residence and current bachelor pad of Shannon Moeller, Michael Fowl, and Nathan Barnes. Shannon, Nathan (in absentia, due to his sister’s 16th birthday party in Colorado), and Michael graciously hosted the night, making their house available for pre- and post-caroling activity and fellowship. Meeting at the house around 7:00 p.m., we divvied up caroling booklets and candles (brought and suggested, respectively, by the Hubers) and headed outside to spread joy and Christmas cheer to the unsuspecting neighborhood.

The neighborhood’s level of unpreparedness for our singing became quite apparent as we received no answers to our doorbell ringing/door knocking at the first two houses we visited. Our third try was successful, but the fourth house also gave no answer to our salutation. However, as we plunged forward with our caroling endeavors, our success rate increased and we ended up singing to an audience at about ten or so homes.

Our list of Christmas carol favorites included Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Angels from the Realms of Glory; Joy to the World; What Child is This; Silent Night, Holy Night, Good Christian Men Rejoice; It Came Upon the Midnight Clear; and others. After a few "test" sessions, we settled upon two verses of two carols per house, finishing each performance with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Although our reception varied from house to house, by far the general attitude of the neighborhood was one of gratitude and pleasure. Once couple stated "you have made Christmas season," and a young family came outside while we were across the street and asked us to come sing to them. (‘Tis interesting to note the cultural acceptance of songs about Christ during this time of year, and a general rejection of Him throughout the rest of the year. Certainly this reality varies by community and household, but I doubt we would have received such a warm reception had we gone a-caroling in July.)

Once finished with caroling, we returned to the Bachelor Pad for blessed warmth, hot chocolate, hot cider. . . Oh, wait, this is San Antonio. Never mind.

We repaired to the Bachelor Pad for an evening of games, fellowship, and good food and drink. Before walking inside we discarded our very melted candles, hitherto our means of light and sight. Some of our company had diligently dripped wax onto their persons, thereby molding their candles to their hands. An array of intriguing shapes and designs ensued, with Shannon and Anthony sharing the prize for most "interesting." The requisite photos were taken, and then we tramped inside.

All manner of sweets, snacks, and even some veggies (thank you, Puckes!) greeted our return. Pies, cookies, crackers and cheeseball, chips, etc., satisfied our stomachs, and hot chocolate, hot cider, and sparkling grape juice quenched our thirst. Dutch Blitz and foosball were our games of choice, and plenty of conversation rounded out our evening.

Many, many thanks to Nathan, Shannon, and Michael for their gracious hosting. Without the blessing of their preparation and their house, our night of caroling and fellowship would not have been possible. Thanks also to all who came and made the evening enjoyable through their contributions of food and fellowship. I am truly grateful to have such fine friends with whom to share such a night.

Regrettably, my camera batteries died on me prior to my taking a single photo during our caroling. Therefore, I only have a few photos from our post-caroling fellowship (I changed batteries upon returning to the house). Enjoy.