Why Caroling wasn’t just about music in 2025
The first time our beloved seniors from the Catholic student Society at the University of Moratuwa asked me to join the choir, a knot formed in my throat. Me? In a formal choir? I lived with music in my life for years-strumming guitar strings, marching for brass music- but choral music felt like an unexplored galaxy of my life. The raw emotion of blending my voice with many others, pitching precise notes, following strict rhythms… It was intimidating.
Yet, there was an undeniable force to try something new, to push past that agitation, So, I went to the very first practice session.
It commenced not with singing, but with breathing exercise. Long, slow and calm inhales and exhales focused to calm the body and center the mind. I found myself completely fascinated. It was a light bulb moment. How simply focusing on breathing could bring such a deep sense of peace. That moment, finding an unexpected way to calm my mind, was when i truly fell with the choir.
Weeks of sleepless practice followed. We opened our hearts into perfecting every note, every tune, dreaming of the festive and grand carol night we are precisely planning. The air buzzed with anticipation.
Then, life, as it does, threw a metal ball.
A devastating flood swept across our motherland. The harmonious carols, the royal plans, and festive night we dreamed-everything faded into insignificance in the face of such widespread suffering. My heart, and that of my fellow brothers and sisters, ached for those affected.
But our seniors had a wisdom that saw beyond the shattered plans. They had a more meaningful vision. Instead of performing the carols for an audience seeking entertainment, they wanted to share the christmas who needed solace the most: the children.
Our new Mission led us to St.Rita’s Church, Ma eliya, Ja-ela. Our purpose shifted from entertaining a crowd to resilient young ones who had lost so much. Our Practices took a new fresh start. Every note we pitched, every word we articulated, was focused with a single purpose. To bring smiles to worried eyes.
The day of that first carol service remains connected in my memory. Standing before those children, sharing music, felt completely different from any stage presence I could have imagined. There was no concern for perfection, only a humble desire to offer a moment of hope. After our songs the happiness on their faces as we distributed stationary items was a reward bigger than any applause. This was not just a carol service,it was an act of profound connection.
This spirit of giving extended further, as our Colombo region universities also unite for a larger carol service. This year , it was held at the Church of our lady of Good Health, and again our focus was on giving back. We performed our carols, and afterwards, distributed stationary items to little ones in the local affected areas.
From this whole unexpected journey, three main lessons rooted deeply within me:
- Unexpected things can happen at any time:Life is so unpredictable. Greatest opportunities sometimes arise from unforeseen challenges.
- Always think about where help is needed:There is always someone, waiting for a moment of kindness or simply a reason to smile.
- Always try to bring a smile to kids: Their smiles are a beacon of hope, contributing to them is one of life’s purest privileges.
This Christmas, the carols we sang were merely the vehicle. The true melody was the joy we found in giving, the harmony in helping. Music at its best isn’t just heard with ears-it’s felt with the heart.
