Dear Friends,
Winter holidays a remarkable time for singing. I admit, I used to be the person who griped about hearing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. The problem was never the holiday music, however. The problem was that I associated it with the stress of the season. Holiday music was a reminder of shopping that hadn't been done, parties that needed to be prepared, holiday performances that were fast approaching, and on and on. Yet, everytime I heard some familiar holiday song on the radio I would find myself humming or singing along. And it felt good! It feels good to sing!
My family likes to tell a story of many Christmas Eve's past. This was back when we would celebrate Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house. The family would come together, we would eat a big Polish dinner, share gifts, and go to midnight Mass. And that's where this story always starts. Now, in full disclosure I do not remember this happening! I was about 3 years old at the time. During Mass my grandmother was holding me. The congregation was singing a hymn (something festive, I'm sure) and Grandma decided to sing along. Apparently, this was against my liking and I put my hand over her mouth and said, "...don't sing."
HOW DARE I!? What kind of cynical 3 year old tells his grandmother to stop singing holiday hymns? And yet, my past has a way of cleverly manifesting itself in my present. Ironically, so much of my work consists of convincing people to sing! I do everything I can to get people to experience the joys of singing.
Every winter holiday has it's own songs to celebrate the season. No matter what we celebrate, our common bond is that we all celebrate in song. Singing unites us together and makes us feel good. It reminds us that we are not alone in this world and every singer is important. If we lose any one singer the song will lack meaning. And when we add more singers we add more reasons to celebrate. We sing to feel close to one another. We sing to share in the celebration of life.
It is no secret that everyday our world becomes more and more divisive. There are many people who use "difference" as a way of intimidating us into seclusion. They shamelessly use "difference" as an excuse for violence. It is tempting to close our doors, our hearts, and our minds to others. But, when we do this, the song and the celebration end. We don't realize a day could come when somebody might say to us, "don't sing."
But, that day is not today! Today I want everyone to sing. Sing for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Sing for the miracle of the oil and the freedom to practice your own faith. Sing for the Kwanzaa blessings of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Sing for the noble teachings of the Prophet and for the harmony, brotherhood and peace deserved by all peoples. Most of all, sing together! Make a joyful sound. Celebrate life and the beauty of what we learn from those who are different than ourselves. Teach your songs to others, and learn their songs in return. Share the celebrations and good feelings of the holiday season! And if somebody tells you "dont sing," turn to them and say "sing with me."
From all of us with Saginaw Choral Society, happy holidays to you and yours!
My love to all of you,
-Jeremiah
