“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” – Buddy the Elf
By Liz Arrington
Timeless holiday movies are an integral part of how we celebrate and observe the holiday season. Conflict and drama surrounds familiar characters as they navigate ghosts of past, present and future, or try to “save” Christmas in some way. All the while, learning important lessons about community and family, peace and love. Whether the story takes place in the past or modern times, common themes unfold to leave our protagonists brimming with the true spirit of Christmas by the end of the movie, surrounded by loved ones. And, more often than not, they are all SINGING! This is the part of the movies that I have always loved the most. Bonus points if this final song involves our characters gathered around a piano singing together in harmony. There is just something so powerful and connecting about a group of people singing together, something that brings us all together across time and space.
Christmas movies are able to capture this experience for most of us, as the tradition of making music with other people becomes less and less common in our modern, technological world. There was a time when music making was a key way for families and friends to interact with one another. After dinner, families would gather around a piano and sing, plunk out tunes on pianos, guitars, fiddles, or harmonica. The songs were usually familiar, often hymns or religious songs, songs that told the stories of past generations, or folk songs that were woven into a collective cultural experience.
Of course, songs of the holiday season are experienced outside of the home as well. A parenting rite of passage includes squeezing into folding chairs in a school cafeteria to watch our little ones belt out songs about Rudolf and Frosty. We enjoy musical performances in our community; at churches, universities, and community centers. Many are fortunate enough to go see professionals perform timeless classics such as the Nutcracker or Handel’s Messiah. Music is piped through speakers in malls and shopping centers, or you can tune your radio to 24/7 Christmas hits starting the day after Thanksgiving.
The music of Christmas, more than any other season or holiday, creates such a strong sense of nostalgia. Bringing forth memories of Christmases of our childhood, various different seasons throughout our lives, reminding us of our loved ones, and allowing us to pass along this experience to new generations. Sharing music with our children provides them with the foundation for their own Christmas memories and traditions. My call to you this Christmas season is to seek meaningful ways to include music in your holidays. Go beyond listening to music, or watching other people perform music for you. Create your own family musical moments by singing together at home or in the car. Explore music from your own family history or heritage. Gather your kids for caroling with family and friends. Host a sing-a-long movie night featuring your favorite Christmas movie musical. Share the joy of Christmas with others through the gift of music and carry on the long tradition of connecting with the spirit of the season through song.
*Christmas Bonus! Check out my blog @songfulbeginnings.com for a playlist of my ultimate favorite Christmas songs to sing along to…
