My favorite Christmas carol

Karen Carpenter singing “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day”

I still miss her.

I wait for Christmas every year. I love the music, wrapping presents, baking, and the cards that arrive in the mail. I love finding the perfect gift for the people on my list. I love seeing family and friends we don’t see often enough the rest of the year. It’s a month of enjoying myself. At the same time, my memories have become less about the presents, and more about the various experiences we’ve had over the years.

We used to attend a local church that put on a Christmas concert featuring one of the pastors. This particular pastor and his wife had lost a child in a drive-by shooting shortly before the holiday season that year. If anyone had an excuse to beg off the typical celebration, it would have been them. We’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of musical performances over the years, but I’ve never seen anything like this before or since. I’m not sure what made the evening so special. Could it have been that the church was packed with people who loved and supported Tony and his wife? He wanted to give a gift from the heart. He’s a great singer, but there was something more. In the midst of what must still be a nightmare for them that I can’t pretend to understand, he sang songs that meant something to him.

As I’ve mentioned, I love Christmas music. I always seem to go for the carols that aren’t played as often, though — songs  like “Gesu Bambino”, “The Holly and the Ivy”, and this one. Tony sang it that night. I couldn’t hold back my tears. I’ll never forget it. His gift keeps on giving.

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

I thought as now this day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long unbroken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

As I wrap the last of the presents and maybe bake some cookies, (cross your fingers!) I wish the readers of The Little Pink Clubhouse and those they love a wonderful holiday season, full of the things that make you happiest.

-S