Christmas Conspiracy

Last year we never sang my favorite Christmas song, "The First Noel" in sacrament meeting, in Relief Society, or at the stake sing along activity. I was sort of bummed. I mean, really, there are only so many Christmas hymn in the book, we should have sung it at least once. Of course I sang it myself, but it's different to sing it with a few people than to sing it surrounded by dozens of people singing with you.

This year I took matters into my own hands. I'm the ward choir director, meaning I get to choose one of the songs for the stake sing along. I had it chosen months ago. Perhaps I would have preferred to sing it as part of the congregation, but I wasn't going to chance a Christmas without it again.

About an hour before the stake sing-along the stake music director called as asked that we change our song, as another choir was singing "The First Noel" for their choir piece, and I just had it down as the sing along with the congregation piece. Kevin took the message (I was napping), meaning I had zero chance to defend my case. (Granted, I probably wouldn't have anyway.) So, we sang Joy to the World. I like that one too, and we still had another Sunday to sing my song in sacrament meeting.

Turns out the choir that had asked we didn't sing our song, sang a Christmas medley. Please! They sang, like, the chorus and that was it. And I didn't even get to sing! Plus, would anyone really mind singing the song a choir had sung a snippet of? I would wager at least half of the congregation wouldn't have even noticed. (I realize that my arguments are purely selfish in my desire to get to sing my song with dozens of people. I also realize that there is a counter-argument. However, I am choosing to ignore it as they appear to be napping rather than defending their case.)

So, it was down to the wire yesterday. Would we go two Christmases in a row without singing the best Christmas song in the book? I only had 2 chances, as the choir was singing the intermediate hymn, and I don't get to go to Relief Society anymore. The answer is yes. Two very sad Christmases in a row without getting to be surrounded by dozens of people singing my favorite Christmas hymn together. I can't even believe it. How could it happen twice in a row?!

If there are dozens of you reading this and feeling the anguish of a noel-less Christmas, meet me at the church at midnight. I know someone with a key.