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An Unforgettable Christmas Carol
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Christmas bells are ringing
----Caroling Caroling
I have celebrated many Christmases in America, yet there is one special year that I’ll always remember.
It was more than ten years ago, and my fourth winter in the States. We were living in Youngstown, OH. Being from the southern part of China, which had mild winters and rarely snow, I was not used to Youngstown’s freezing cold.
On Christmas Eve, I was at home, alone with my little kids. My husband was working late into the night. Snow was falling -- the ground, buried in thick layers of snow and slick ice. The ploughing trucks hummed along on the frigid streets. Christmas lights of every brilliant hue were strung on trees, and twinkled beneath the moonlight.
In the living room, I sat upon the sofa, reading Christmas stories to my little kids. “Mommy, I heard music outside,” said my two year old son. I stopped reading, got up from my sofa, and went to the door with my kids.
To my surprise, standing there was my friend Bernadette with a group of carolers, gathered outside in the biting cold. They sang Christmas songs for us. Snowflakes fell upon their faces, yet their music rang unfettered. As they continued on their way, the final song still echoed in my head. Their angelic, harmonious sound melted my heart and brought joy to the faces of my smiling kids.
The warmth of their singing alleviated the cold and loneliness of that winter night. Now, every time I hear caroling, it brings me back to that special Christmas Eve and the comfort that music can give me.
Song: Caroling Caroling
Artist: Nat King Cole
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling now we go
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling through the snow
Christmas bells are ringing
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling through the town
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling up and down
Christmas bells are ringing
Mark thee well the song that we sing
Gladsome tidings now we bring
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling now we go
Caroling, caroling through the snow
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Christmas bells are ringing
Rebecca Lin 2015 Winter In USA
(Picture source: Internet)
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