Christmas Carols Tradition
As the festive season arrives, so do our favourite Christmas traditions. Such as putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping presents, baking with the family and decorating gingerbread houses. However, one of our favourite Christmas traditions is joyful carols, these old traditional songs have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries.
Firstly, these lovely carols were sung as a celebration of Christ’s birth. Today they are often heard at churches or around the neighbourhood, noting that many choirs sing purely for charity.
Christmas Carols on the River with The St Johns Evangelist Choir
Carol by carol…
“Oh Holy Night”…
The word ‘carol’ means dance or song of praise and joy. However whilst they used to be sung on many different occasions, the Christmas Carols seem to have been the only tradition that has really survived. Besides, carolling at your doorstep is believed to have originated from when the carolers weren’t allowed to sing in the church. They would march door to door, fueled by the festive spirit on the Holy Night.
“Joy to the World”
Christmas Carols have been bringing joy to our world for a really long time. Our children learn the songs at school, bring them home and sooner rather than later we are all happily singing Christmas Carols all together.
At Let’s Go Punting, we have, for the past two years, hosted a special Christmas Carols on the River‘ event. This event was a partnership with the Traditional Punting Company and the Choir from St John the Evangelist. However, sadly this annual charity event won’t happen this year due to the current pandemic circumstances.
The whole concept of this charity event of Christmas Carols on the River Cam is that you can book to join the St Johns the Evangelist Choir for an hour-long punt tour along the River Cam whilst they sing beautiful carols. Additionally, all the sales were donated to the assigned charity. In 2018 we raised money for Christian Aid, while the money raised in 2019 was donated to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice. All tickets could be booked to punt along two boats where the choir were singing for the entirety of the journey. Fingers crossed we will be able to bring this event back in 2021.
“Silent Night”
Don’t let your Christmas be filled with Silent Nights, let there be joy, light and festive songs all around. We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!!
