Would it even be Christmas if it wasn’t announced by the heralding of Mariah Carey telling us all she wants for Christmas? Or the local eighties station playing Bing Crosby in October? Snark aside, I love classic Christmas Carols. My absolute favorite song is “Oh, Holy Night”. There is something so peaceful about it and it truly calms my soul each year. I also love Bing Crosby. Especially a rendition of “Flags of our Fathers “on his White Christmas Album. It reminds me of my grandparents now that they are gone. I picture my grandfather humming it in across the season deployment during World War II with his rosary thinking of family back home. My tradition also includes Amy Grant who was a solid musical formation of my tween years. The season of song culminates in my family’s tradition on Christmas Eve of singing Christmas Carols around the piano. Although we do not make our way from house to house and subject the neighbors to our singing, we do have this tradition of caroling. My sister studied the longest of the three siblings in my family and takes the lead.  However, in the few years that they have not spent Christmas with us (I.E. 2020 or this year when it became the year to start her own family tradition) I must suffice. And by suffice, I mean I plunk out maybe the occasional chord while playing the melody in the books I used in fourth grade. But it really isn’t about my playing, it is the tradition of gathering and singing together.  In my dad’s family, singing around the piano was a part of every gathering and this small tradition carries on.in our little branch. It’s another nostalgic reminder of my family that is passed as we sing each Christmas Eve after we go to Mass and eat our dinner and before the chaos of the gifts ensues.

What do you do as a tradition with your family each year? I want to know what I missed! Comment below!