The Joy's of Caroling
The original celebration for winter solstice was a ring dance. The carol had a lusty, pagan exuberance that caused early Christian cleric to label the songs "slings of the devil." Feasting and guzzling wassail and ale, and moonlit sport with maidens were the themes of early carols, and the church quickly banned such songs.
However, the seasonal rituals, beautiful melodies and hearty refrains refused to die. Early in the 13th century, with some adjustment of the lyrics of early Christmas carols, St. Francis of Assisi adopted them for use in a Christmas Eve midnight Mass.
Yet another story of the Christmas carols beginning tells of angels who burst into song while proclaiming the Nativity to shepherds. Thus the first Christmas carol: "Gloria in Excelsis" was born.
Throughout the middle ages these feasts, St. Francis and choirs of angels conspired to make caroling a universal expression of seasonal cheer. Carols survived being banned by the Puritans, who outlawed all Christmas celebration in the 17th century. The songs were secretly transcribed in a book kept by Richard Hill, an Elizabethan grocer's apprentice.
In the 19th century a benevolent pastor, Rev. Edward Everett Hale of Boston, rented a sleigh and horses and took sixteen children on a spirited sleigh ride to serenade citizens of the children's choosing. The sleigh ride carolers scene is often depicted today in movies and televison, and brings warmth and happiness to our minds and hearts.
Rev. Hale was following the European tradition of caroling, where caroling groups called "waits" walked or rode to cottages and manors to sing a Merry Christmas to their fellow townsfolk. Custom was to reward the "waits" for their songs with coins tossed from windows, or wassail or a snack.
Carols carry within them an age-old celebration and express the overflowing joy of the season. May your hearts be light and joyous this holiday season. Strike a chord and join with your loved ones in a warm and spirited round of carols.
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