I wrote about my Christmas carolling memories some years ago here when we all still lived at home in Beckenham, and we had no idea how our complacent life of relative peace and harmony would be shattered into tiny, stinging shards. (Yes, that’s a huge exaggeration but it feels that way at times.)
Everything is different. Our family is separated by thousands of miles and at times I feel so very far from home. While there are far worse places in the world to be than Hong Kong, and I have made some friendships here I long for my life and my home. My friends, my rituals, a feeling that I fit.
After the summer of turbulence here, with all the disgustingness at home, I jumped at the chance to fulfil the comforting ritual that, for me, starts Christmas. I joined the Cecilian Singers to practise carols. Starting in the still blistering heat and humidity of early September, it felt odd at first, especially as many rehearsals were disrupted by venues closing because of the protests.
The Cecilians are more relaxed than either of my other choirs but still manage to achieve a nice warm, coherent sound under MD Andrew Leung. Monday night rehearsals at St John’s Cathedral have been a chance to meet and talk to new people, mostly expats but people who enjoy singing just for the sake of it.
Sadly I brought a nasty virus back from the UK with me and decided that I was in no fit state to sing in the first concert at St. John’s Cathedral. The ongoing disruption caused the anticipated second carol concert in Mong Kok to be moved to peaceful and more remote Stanley, in the chapel of a boarding school.
It was an intimate venue but packed to the gills for the concert to raise funds for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre.
What a contrast to two years ago at St. George’s, Beckenham, when we 1st sopranos belted out the descant to Hark the Herald Angels Sing over the top of the thunderous organ, the Band of the Royal Engineers, the Bromley Youth Concert Band, a capacity congregation, and the rest of our choir. What a glorious night that was, and I made sure it was etched in my mind, working hard to maintain my memories of Christmas Past. Last year, I made do with a Spotify carols playlist as I, alone and sobbing gently, put up our Ikea tree and lights.
And now, this concert was a celebration the peace and harmony of normality, a celebration of harmony and stability in a world that’s been turned upside down for so many of us, one in which we feel powerless. Despite everything, we cleave to comfort.