Comfort carolling: Spreading festive cheer among the distressed
LUCKNOW: Carols are an integral part of Christmas, whether by choirs or individuals, at public places or private gatherings. A group of carol singers in the state capital is not only keeping this tradition of festive music alive but also taking it to another, higher level by spreading comfort among the weary and the hopeless in these Covid times, irrespective of creed and community. Small wonder they call it comfort carolling!.
This carol singing group that includes a preacher, teachers and other professionals, visits houses and sings to share the joy of Christmas with those in pain and distress, even the non-Christians who invite them.
This year, in nearly a 15-daylong carol singing activity, the group has visited the houses of more than 18 families, including the Covid-affected ones.
“Carol singing has been a long-standing tradition (it’s fading now) during Christmas. And we carry it out in a different way. We call it ‘comfort carolling’ and do it to give comfort, warmth and respite to the families in pain or distress,” said Angie Moses, one of the oldest members of the group.
Moses, while highlighting this unique carolling, said, “During Christmas, we as a group of
friends belonging to various churches, went around the city visiting the homes of the elderly, the lonely, the sick and those affected by the pandemic (who lost their loved ones). The purpose of singing carols is to give them comfort and hope that Jesus came to offer.”
The list of houses where they paid visits this year also includes
the name of a non-Christian family in which a boy lost his parents to Covid. “I must mention that carolling at the house of this boy who lost his mother and father to Covid this year was perhaps the toughest and the most emotional. We not only sang carols but also offered prayers for strength to him to bear the loss and to give him some comfort.
And luckily our efforts brought a smile on his face. There are so many examples,” said Kavita Das, another member of the group. They also visited a family that lost 7 of its members to Covid, another group member said. The group also spent time with the people, offered prayers and shared cakes, calendars, candles and cards etc.