This Christmas Eve, all are invited to join together and make a joyful noise outside on your lawn or deck for all to hear. 

CHVN is inviting its family of listeners to tune in on December 24 at 7:00 pm, as together we step outside of our homes and sing a few Christmas carols together. 

While we know many churches may be streaming their own services at that time, we invite all who are able to join us.

The hope is that people who are shut-in or alone, including senior citizens in care homes, will be able to hear the melodies from their homes. 

The evening's event will start with 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel', go into 'Silent Night', and then end with 'Joy to the World'. CHVN will post the lyrics to each song on the website that day. 

The idea for this was sparked by the mayor of Niverville, Myron Dyck, who was contemplating what to do this Christmas.

"I'm thinking, what can we do to make things still like Christmas?" says Dyck. "Being involved in the community as I am, I'm always thinking of community, especially in regards to people that are alone. I was thinking what can we do to bring a little joy and Christmas to them?"

Dyck's mother lives in a personal care home and won't be joining any family this Christmas, like many others. 

World War I Christmas Truce

"The thought that popped into my head was the story about World War I where a Christmas truce had been declared. The soldiers on the two sides in the trenches got together and sang several Christmas songs."

The power of community and unity through song and the message of hope at Christmas is what Dyck wants to spread to those shut-in.

"In the spring of this year, in Italy people were on their balconies serenading their front-line workers. From that the idea came, what could we do in a community where we could still connect in some way at Christmas."

Common Connecting Point

"I find that music is a real connecting point. When you look at those soldiers, they were both fighting for the ideals that either side believed in. In a community, we all have different beliefs, thoughts, and decisions, but at the core of it we're still human," says Dyck.

Initially, he was just considering this idea for his own community of Niverville, but when he spoke to others, it became bigger than that. 

"We are here together, we are one community. So as we sing to each other, especially our seniors and all those that might be alone, we can give them a little bit of sunshine or joy during this season."

Hoping to make this a huge event for anyone who wants to participate, those who are shut-in or alone are encouraged to either tune in to CHVN at that time or open their window a crack and listen, if it's safe to do so. 

"If you're able to crack that window at 7:00 pm on Christmas Eve and listen to the music that will be floating on that crisp winter air that night, we're going to make a joyful noise together."

Those few minutes of singing will allow people to share the spirit of Christmas together, according to Dyck. 

"I daresay it likely wasn't my own idea but was probably one given to me from Someone, not of this world."

If you would like to join in this event, CHVN invites you to share this article with those you know as well.

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