It’s back. It’s back. “A Christmas Carol Sing-Along” is back.

On Monday at New Covenant Church, the sanctuary will once again be filled with the voices of many, all singing the joyful, happy and praise-filled songs of the Christmas Season.

The revelry will start at 6 p.m. and should last for about an hour. Song sheets will be provided, and there is no admission charged. However, if you feel so led, please bring a canned or dry goods food item for the Stewpot.

Last year, we practically ran out of room. And it was a thrill to hear so many people singing; it literally gave me goose bumps to hear them.

The program will once again be split into three sections; novelty, popular and sacred.

Who will forget the fun we had singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?” Or how about “Frosty the Snowman?” These novelty songs will live forever, as older generations pass them down to newer generations. Yes, the novelty section is just full of the songs that make you smile and laugh. It represents the innocent, youthful approach to the Season of Christmas.

Not to be outdone, the popular section is just that – popular.

It includes the holiday standards such as “White Christmas,” the jazzy “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” and the sentimental “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

These are the songs that a lot of us grew up with, listening to the old Christmas specials on television hosted by Perry Como and Bing Crosby. And of course, we couldn’t leave out the most well known Christmas song, which is the “Christmas Song.” Otherwise known as “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” made famous by Nat “King” Cole and Mel Torme.

And finally, the sacred section.

Here, we will make a “Joyful Noise” unto the Lord in the singing of the beautiful carols of the season.

Such timeless works as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy To The World” and “The First Noel” will be represented. These are the songs that truly sum up the meaning of Christmas, and remind us that Christ is the center of all of this. These works are immortal; they have stood the test of time, and will live as long as we sing Praises to the King. The words of the carols bring it all into focus, and tells us the joy that was felt and the jubilation that was present upon the arrival of one small child who would be Christ the King.

And even though I love the other sections, it is the sacred part that gives me the chill of excitement and gladness.

Yes, there are some great songs to sing Monday, that is for sure.

And who knows? I might just have a surprise or two such as a guest vocalist.

I urge you to attend, and I urge you to get a friend to come with you. I urge you to bring your family – even cranky old Aunt Mabel – and unite your voice with many others. I think you will have a good time. And judging from the comments I heard after last year’s event, there is a good chance you will.

If you have a youth group, bring them. If we run out of seating room, we will get the younger ones to sit down front on the floor where they can be front-and-center for the novelty section, for sure.

Now, it will be dark outside, seeing as how it starts at 6 p.m. However, we will have volunteers walking the parking lot with flashlights to assist people, both before and after. And if you do bring anything for the Stewpot (a not-so-subtle hint), they will be glad to carry it for you.

So mark you calendar. Call your friends. Wake up Aunt Mabel. And come enjoy the sounds of Christmas at New Covenant Church for the “Christmas Sing-A-Long.”

 

Burnley Cook is a Natchez resident and local musician.