Survival Guide to Karen Caroling
Posted by maycocklp at 04:08 on 15th December 2011
Karen people love singing. And they love Christmas. So it's not surprising that carol singing is a big event in the Karen church calendar throughout the month of December.
Last night, I went carol singing with a group of students from the Karen Bible School. As the whole experience is quite different to anything I've ever seen in the UK, I'd like to present a Survival Guide to Karen Caroling.
1. Be ready for a long night!
The first thing that you'll need is endurance. We gathered at 5:30pm, and 21 visits later, we arrived back home just after midnight - and that's a relatively short trip by local standards. One of the other groups of students who went singing last night were not back until after 2am.
2. Be Hungry!
At most houses we visited, we were given snacks - including oranges, chocolate bars, cake, sweets and fried rice cakes. But if you find yourself unable to eat any more - don't worry! If you have a bag (or deep pockets), it's perfectly acceptable to take things away to eat later!
3. Bring a hat!
Although the temperature only dropped as far as 17 degrees C last night, it felt cold! (Or have we been living here too long?) Colourful and unusual hats are particular prized. The Bible School students were certainly well wrapped up - especially those who were travelling in the back of the pick-up truck.
4. Be ready for some surprises!
Last night we were visiting Karen households spread right across Chiang Mai city. We saw impressive Christmas decorations in some surprising places - and quite a number of Christmas trees. Some of the families we visited were obviously struggling to make a living; but one house had a BMW parked outside, and at another house, they were watching CNN on cable TV!
5. Be ready to be challenged!
Singing, praying, blessing, laughing, sharing... being part of this wonderful expression of a community celebrating Christmas together was a great experience. And the willingness of the students to go to yet another house, always with a cheerful smile, was a real challenge to me. After all, am I this willing to share the amazing news of Christmas with all those I meet?
Comments
I don't think people here would appreciate carol singers at midnight...
Mr Pete! The above is very true, from what I remember of evening carol singing adventures with lovely Karen friends.
I particularly like the way banter and prayer intermingle - there's lots of comedy alongside heartfelt singing about Jesus. This is something I'd like to take into Christmas day this year!
Great guide Mr Pete!
I loved the mix of banter and prayer when lovely Karen friends took us carol singing. There is a lot of comedy, alongside heartfelt singing about Jesus. It's a great combination that I'd like to take into my Christmas time this year.
Thanks for a great blog - and superb pictures. A flavour of Christmas among the Karen. "If music be the food of love - play on!" It may be the Bard rather than the Bible - but it seems to sum up the conviction of our sisters and brothers in Thailand who love the Lord and wish to share him in song. Quite a marathon by all accounts. Some of us go singing around the wards at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Christmas Eve - and that takes a couple of hours or so and feels like you will have no voice left at the end of it. Mind you, we only got sustenance at the end - mince pie and orange juice. For you, its a case of "sing for your chocolate". This Sunday is our Kids' Carols and Carols by Candlelight services - and we will make sure the folks get a copy of your latest blog. May the Lord bless you richly - and make you a blessing to others in turn.
With Christmas Greetings, and prayerful hopes for the New Year.
On behalf of all at HBC. David
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