Christmas is Back!

After a couple of years of modified Christmas celebrations, for better or worse, celebrations seem to be back!

Last weekend we went to Muhlenberg College for their Candlelight Service. It was just as beautiful and magical as people told me it is when she decided to go there. We attended last year, but less people were allowed and it seemed shorter.

When the soloist started singing "Once in Royal David's City" I could feel goosebumps!

We were asked not to take pictures, but I tried to discretely snap a couple to remind me of the magical feeling.

A few days later we attended one of our favorite Christmas services each year, Carols of Many Nations at Princeton Theological Seminary. When the service became super crowded, and super popular, they switched to a ticketing service. My parents got tickets for the 3:30 pm service. Don and I went at 6:30 pm. There is also a service at 8:30 pm.

Similar in format to the Muhlenberg service with a twist. The PTS service has pre-selected members of their community read the scripture in their native language, with a translation in English printed in the booklet. In-between each scripture a song or two are sung, often in a foreign language. In the margins of the booklet are a couple of sentences about the history of the song, notes about how the holiday is celebrated in that song's country, and sunrise and sunset times for Christmas Day in those place.

One of the most interesting stories was about the song "Betelehemu" It was written in the 1950's by a young Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji, who enrolled at Morehouse College on a Rotary scholarship. He collaborated with the Glee Club director to arrange this traditional Yorube Christmas song. The piece is a staple of their Glee Club's repertoire. 

I was entranced by the background. The next line blew me away: "it is conducted this evening by Morehouse College alumnus, Otis Byrd Jr.

Most songs most years are new to us. Each year the lights are turned off and each reader returns to light the candle and say "You are the light of the world" in their own language. Then candlelight fills the sanctuary and a combination of "Peace, peace" is sung by the choirs as the congregation sings "Silent Night." We walk outside and continue caroling together before being dismissed by the benediction. 

As with Muhlenberg, they modified the service the past two years. Other than seeing a few people wearing masks (and, yes, we all should have worn masks indoors) it felt magical once again.

May we return to walking around NYC to see the holiday displays and other traditions. May we all remain COVID-free, too.

Let there be peace, peace on earth.