The writer is a staffer at The Express Tribune
lovita.bernard@tribune.com.pk
The golden age of English carols was between 1350 to 1550 although we are not sure when the first carol was written. Amongst the vast collection of Christmas carols, the most popular and most loved of all time are “Jingle Bells”, “Silent Night”, “Joy to the world”, “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Mary’s Boy Child”, “Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town”, “Frosty the Snow man”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “We three kings”, “Feliz Navidad prospero ano y felicidad”, a Spanish carol, and “We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year”.
The singing and music skills are embedded in children through Sunday school at a very early age. Sunday school for children plays a crucial role in the growth and development of new leadership, allowing the word of God to take root among them. Sunday school teachers are usually lay people selected for their job by the church board. The teaching is based on Biblical stories and scriptural passages. Although there are different methods of teaching within Sunday school, the principle method of teaching traditions and beliefs is through music. It is important for children to learn church music. The songs range from spiritual to contemporary gospel music. Music is the most powerful teaching tool. It becomes easier for children to memorise the biblical stories when words are sung and combined with memorable melody. Sunday school lays the foundation and through it, the Christian faith is taught and lived.
Congregations enjoy singing psalms and hymns with the group of musicians playing piano, guitars, trumpets, tambourines and drums.
Besides celebrating a caroling Sunday, it is over for 30 years now that the churches in Karachi have organised Christmas carol competitions to express and share this religious joy. This year, Central Brooks Memorial Church, St Andrews Church, Holy Trinity Church, Citizens of Heaven Church, ARP Church, All Saints Church, Christ Church Mission Road have held this programme. Christians from all over Karachi take part in these competitions. The Church choirs, bands and solo performances are observed by the judges and then the winners are awarded. Many beautiful carols are heard and enjoyed by the audience. Participants await and prepare for these competitions all through the year. The winners and well-known choirs are from All Saints Church, Assemblies of God and The Messenger band.
As we celebrate Christmas, we intend to spread happiness, holiday cheer, words of faith, hope and inspiration door to door with our beautiful Christmas songs and carols.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2013.
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@Hailstorm: Not at all amazing. It's the same way beards, shalwars hiked up way over the ankles, niquabs and hijabs made their way into the lands of the Christians. There its not just out of place but also such a misfit for their cuture and way of life...........but their Christian values and their laws teaches them to be tolerant, something we badly need to learn.
@Hailstorm: How did lifting your behind five times a day come to the subcontinent?
It's amazing how reindeers and snowflakes have made their way to the subcontinent. It's not just out of place but also such a misfit for our weather! Well Merry Christmas anyway...
good depiction
Happy Christmas have a good one
Merry Christmas to Christians and to all who rejoice on this festive day. As a child and as a young man growing up I clearly remember the end part of the year and the begining of the new year to be a time of joy, rejoicing, with a party atmosphere with fun, music and happiness all around. Then, as if from nowhere religion descended on us......... and things just fell apart.