Need Joy? Sing

Whether you prefer to say “Happy Holidays,” “Season’s Greetings,” “Happy Chanukah,” "Merry Christmas,” “Happy Kwanza,” “Merry Solstice " or  “Happy New Year,” this is a time that we are all inclined to spread joy to others. 

And this is the time (despite my efforts to the contrary), that I frequently find myself thinking about the ways that others can spread joy to me.  There is a primordial kernel of selfishness deep within us that even the holidays cannot defeat. So what brings me delight during the holidays?  Not candy canes, Christmas cookies, Hannukah gelt, twinkling lights or figgie pudding. I love the music of the season.

As the sounds of primary students rehearsing their winter festival songs come wafting down the hall every morning this week, I have felt blessed to work at a school like Evergreen.  As children prepare for Winter Festival, I realize that music and song are the finest ways possible to celebrate the season together—making a joyful noise.  

What are some of your favorite holiday songs?

My top four are:

• Let it Snow
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
• Do They Know It's Chirstmas?- Band Aid
• Happy Christmas - (War is Over) John Lennon