Are you happily listening to Christmas music or holding off on listening to it until closer to the holidays? Though, if you are in the US, you cannot escape it when you turn on the radio to music stations or enter stores! I am listening to holiday music a little at a time, in small doses now but it is definitely magical to listen to some of my favorite choral songs that never fail to get me into the holiday spirits.

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Poetic Sundays: Favorite Choral Songs

I love Christmas music—there is something so joyous and uplifting about it. And there is something extra magical about listening to the swell of voices in perfect harmony during the holidays. Don’t you think so? Each year, the choral renditions of various songs (both Christmassy and inspirational in myriad ways) seem to wrap the season in warmth and light.

I loved hearing these songs in movies like the Sister Act series, where Whoopi Goldberg and her choir brought energy and joy to the screen, and on TV programs that made the holidays sparkle. Whether in growing up in India and listening to music play on the national TV station during Christmas or during TV specials in my living room in the US, these melodies always lift my spirit and bring a smile to my face.

There’s a universality to these songs—they transcend borders and beliefs, reminding us of shared joy, hope, and the beauty of coming together. Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not (I adopted the festival when I moved here to the US, and added it to my own set of festivals growing up in a traditional Tamil household).

And each of these favorite choral songs seems to hold a piece of that holiday magic and hope for a better world.

Carol of the Bells

This is one of my favorite pieces of music to listen to, and one I made my son and daughter learn to play on the instruments of their choice (piano and flute respectively)!! It is hard to pick one rendition that stands above others but sharing this choir below. I recall listening to once in Vegas at a performance at the Venetian (such a stunning and beautiful one as we watched the artistes standing around the overhanging terrace of the casino while we all watched from wherever we were). Sadly, I cannot find the video I no doubt captured at that time.

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

There’s a steady, comforting rhythm along with a smile threading through it that makes it perfect for the holidays. It’s as if the song itself is offering a moment of calm and happiness in all the holiday bustle.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Oh! What can I say about this song? It is fun, heartwarming, sweet, lighthearted, and oh-so melodious as well, and listening to a choir perform it – sublime indeed!

The Little Drummer Boy

Pa-ra-rum-pum go my heart and my feet while my face smiles endlessly as I hear this song. What about you?

Mary Did You Know

I heard this song for the first time a few years ago (the Pentatonix version, I think) and it was love at first-listen! The melody and lyrics weave together beautifully and there’s a quiet awe in this song that I love.

Another version I love is this one from The Hound + The Fox, as well as from the one voice children’s choir (in the song below)

See You Again

This one carries a deeply emotional tone. With its blend of modern sound and heartfelt lyrics, it’s a touching reminder of the connections that keep us going. It never fails to warm my heart while tearing me up at the same time.

You Raise Me Up

This song raises me up as well! It feels like it’s designed to wrap you in hope and encouragement, especially when sung in a choir’s harmonious embrace. And I love this version below….

There are so many more I love but then I will never finish this post in time, so stopping with these for now. I wrote some earlier as well in a previous year’s post, and then this fun cento captured others.

Recently

On My Blog

My recent posts since and including my last Sunday Scribblings (not very many)

• What’s in a Name? + How to Remember Names and More
• How to Make Every Gift Better With a Book!
• 13 Disney Movies Based on Books for Holiday Magic
• December Delights: The Best Books to Celebrate the Season
• Sunday Scribblings #204: Flying on the Winds of Time

And At Home

Not much as we settle into routine for just a bit between the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks for our kiddos…

Upcoming

On My Blog and Home Front

Getting our home ready for the holidays before the kiddos return from college, and as for the blog, I hope some words make their way here.

This Week’s Celebrations

Literary Celebrations (close-to-it also!)

• Literary birthdays this week include: John Milton and Tishani Doshi on Dec 9th; Cornelia Funke, Emily Dickinson, Mary Norton, Nelly Sachs, and Helen Oyeyemi on Dec 10th; Subramania Bharathi and Jim Harrison on the 11th of Dec; Sophie Kinsella, Mulk Raj Anand, and Gustave Flaubert on the 12th of December; Dec 13th celebrates Tamora Pierce; Carolyn M. Rodgers, Nissim Ezekiel, and Shirley Jackson on the 14th of December; Betty Smith and Edna O’Brien on Dec 15th
• Christmas Card Day is observed on Dec 9th. Check out these beautiful popup cards portraying Christmas trees (complete with ornaments to hang on them), mini trees, as well as poinsettias. You can use these trees and festive decor in addition to or instead of the real ones, depending on your space, time, and budget constraints. And of course, they make a great addition to your holiday gifts!
  

Foodie Celebrations

• We can celebrate a lot of sweetness on Dec 9th with National Pastry Day 
• December 10th is National Lager Day
• Followed by National Noodle Ring Day on the 11th
• It is Gingerbread House Day and National Ambrosia Day on the 12th followed by
• National Cocoa Day and National Cream Cheese Frosting Day on the 13th
• It is Roast Chestnuts Day on the 14th
• Dec 15th is International Tea Day, and brings another sweet treat with it for it is also National Cupcake Day

Other Observations and Celebrations

• It is Weary Willie Day on the 9th.
• Followed by  Nobel Prize Day, Human Rights Day, International Animal Rights Day, and  Dewey Decimal System Day on the 10th of December
• December 11 is National App Day and International Mountain Day, as well as UNICEF Day
• Computer Science Education Week (Begins the Second Monday of December)
• Christmas Bird Count Week: December 14-January 5
• Las Posadas: December 16-24
• Dec 13th is National Violin Day
• Bill of Rights Day is on the 15th of Dec

Wrapping up my Sunday Scribblings

So dear reader, you have reached the end of this Sunday Scribblings! As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about this post. And do let me know if you plan to celebrate any of these mentioned celebrations this coming week/month? One last note, these songs remind me that the holidays are as much about harmony—both musical and communal—as they are about tradition. Do you have a favorite choral piece that brings you joy?

Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon