A harbinger of Christmas, carolling brings with it lots of memories and the fun people had growing up.

“I still remember those days when we used to go visiting houses strumming our guitars, singing Christmas songs into the wee hours of the morning,” says K. Rajan, reminiscing his days in the choir.

Carols, also called noels, have been an integral part of the Christmas tradition for centuries now. Christy Chelladurai, an octogenarian, recollects: “As a child, Christmas carols made the spirit of Christmas come alive.”

For Christy, carolling was an essential part of growing up. “I know all the songs by heart,” she says.

“Carolling was a time of fun for us kids” says Jerrifer Simon, a third year college student. “We used to get loads of candies and cakes, and it was one of those nights that one was exempted from sleeping early,” she adds.

“When these carols are put together they give a picture of what Christmas is all about,” says Mr. Rajan.

‘I loved those times,’ says A. John, a retired teacher. “Carolling brought about hope and joy to a wide variety of people, especially the old and the lonely, the widows and the orphans. We used to share with them gifts in kind and cash that we gathered by carolling,”

“Nowadays, carolling groups come a day or two before Christmas. And, only a handful come”, says John. Due to the demands of work and studies, carolling has been cut down to a day or two.

The tradition of Christmas carols dates back to the 13th century. Most carols, such as Angels from the realms of Glory and I saw three ships were composed during the medieval ages.

But, most of the well-known carols were not sung in churches until the second half of the 19th century.

Hymns such as Silent Night, The First Noel, Away in a Manger, O Come all ye Faithful, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem and God Rest you Merry Gentlemen, were sung outside the church as folk songs.

But, carols have been changing, to suit the modern times.

Most of the recently composed songs such as I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus, Santa Claus is coming to town, It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Up on the roof top the reindeer goes, Jingle bells and Rocking around the Christmas tree, talk about St. Nick, his reindeers Rudolph and Blitzen, mistletoes and white Christmases.

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