Christmas Caroling

We are all amused at the aged tradition of Christmas Caroling. But where did caroling originate and how does that fit into modern society? Like so many histories in the world some questions will remain unanswered during our lifetime, but that aside, let us look at caroling through a modern lens to determine how it fits into our western civilization.
Imagine yourself sitting on your couch. The warmth of your body has enveloped the couch cushions, those same cushions which have embraced your body with a comfort worthy of a king. You lazily sip the hot cocoa which runs down your mouth and throat sending shivers down you back as your body welcomes the additional warmth to your being. A quiet movie is playing on your TV as your mind drifts into a state of perpetual ease. You allow yourself to get caught up in the moment and think to yourself how perfect things are right now.

Knock, knock…

Your perpetual ease is abruptly interrupted as the knocking continues. “I wonder who it could be?” you think to yourself as you leave the warm comfort of your couch, put down your hot cocoa, and make your way to the door.
As you approach the door you hear the faint sound of songs on the other side of the door. You know what is happening and you are reluctant to open that door knowing full well what the next few minutes will yield. You pause for a moment with your hand on the doorknob. With a deep breath and a heavy heart you open the door.
Immediately you are greeted with the sweet tones of Christmas Carols. The sound resonates in your ears as you take the first step onto the porch. You immediately forget about the soft comfortable couch that stroked your body with warmth as the cold winter air seizes every exposed portion of your body with the vengeance. So sweet of the carolers to be bundled up in their scarves, coats, and gloves heating their bodies as they sing songs of grace, celebrating the holiday spirit, as you stand cornered and powerless on your own porch. The only real comfort being given by the knowledge that if you stand out long enough, the cold will eventually seize your body and send you into a blissful, eternal sleep.
No thoughts are wasted upon the soothing power the hot cocoa could have on the throat that the icy hands of winter have grasped with a choking force as the caroler’s songs of glory are warming your soul.
And who needs to worry about the anxiety created by strangers singing to you at your door when the words they are saying are so sweet. So sweet, in fact, that you ignore the awkward feeling that is only replicated by a person standing right next to you in an elevator smiling and singing to you while stroking your back.
Next time you’ll remember to keep the porch light off.

Merry Christmas!