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The curtain of day closed as the bitter chill of winter night took its place. Stars carpeted the sky blinking sporadically like loosened light bulbs in a faulty socket. Originally, it came from such a distance that the sound went unnoticed and ignored, akin to the ticking of a clock that is always there. Soon, it came closer, discernible as music but muffled. I continued to pay no heed, engrossed in my latest novel of choice. My dogs napping comfortably at my feet and my cats curled warmly in their usual positions on chairs and under the table.

A half hour later, Georgia twitched and lifted her ear as Pippin cocked his head with a snort. The music, now much closer, could no longer be disregarded. In fact, it boldly demanded my attention and I obliged by going to the window and peering through the curtain. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming and had woken with the feeling that I was still sleeping. A small group of people were gathered together in my driveway. Men and women bundled in scarves each holding a single candle. The flames danced and cast a yellowish glow around them. Children stuffed like little sausages into their snowsuits capped in hats and mittens. All of them were singing. And doing it really well I might add. What was I to do? I wasn't sure. I've never come upon carolers before and wasn't quite sure what the proper protocol should be. Do I go outside? Do I invite them in? Oh, if I only knew you were coming I'd have baked a cake; or at least have had some hot cocoa ready.

I noticed one by one, doors to neighboring homes were opening and people were coming out and congregating on doorsteps and in porches. I very quickly decided to don my own winter jacket and join them because I sensed that this was one of those moments in life that aren't meant to be watched from afar. We Harked the Herald Angels, Silent Nighted and dashed through the snow with Jingle Bells on our feet. After each song's completion came applause, laughter and requests. I called my parents and set the phone on my steps so they could share the experience. If I had one hundred phones, I would have called one hundred people so they too could feel how amazing this was.

At one point, the carolers separated into two smaller groups to allow the passage of one little girl who could have been no more than 15 or 16 years old. We all became quite still with the anticipation of what was to come. She took a very deep breath and began a solo to O' Holy Night. I felt the hair on the nape of

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