caroling

[neebs]

yesterday we went caroling for youth group. back when i was in junior high, i remember that there used to be about 40 of us-junior high kids, senior high kids, counselors and parents to drive-who used to go and sing, and it was always tons of fun. last night, i guess due to the icky, nasty weather, we had 5 kids show up. and we ended up splitting into 2 groups. my group was me, 2 sisters and their mom, Chris, my co-counselor Bill and with Bill were 4 kiddos under the age of 5. but it was still a really great time. we go caroling to people who don't get out for one reason or another-illness, disability, etc.-and it was so amazing to see these people's faces just light up with joy at our being there. we sang one carol to them, took a request, then usually ended with Jingle Bells or Rudolph, since the little kiddos knew those. one woman started conducting us, another had tears in her eyes by the end of Silent Night, and everyone joined in for Jingle Bells. earlier, Chris and i had conspired to try to get the night cancelled, since the weather was so gross, but i'm glad that we ended up going. i felt kind of selfish, too, because while i wanted to give these people a smile and help get them into the Christmas spirit, they all ended up making me smile more and remember what Christmas is really all about. it's about love.