It's starting to sound a lot like Christmas

Every year, Ellston United Methodist Church and Tingley United Methodist Church come together and perform a Christmas cantata for the public. This year, my sister-in-law and I have decided to sing along with the group.

The churches have put on a Christmas cantata for many years, and I have sung in it once before. I was probably 14 years old, and I sang in it because my mom was, and I love to sing with my mom. We even sang a duet in the cantata that year.

I was kind of leery to join the cantata this year, mainly because of school and the amount of homework I have some weeks. But, after tossing the idea around in my mind, I decided it would be fun to be involved. Not only because it allows me to sing, which I enjoy doing, but I also get to see my grandparents more often since they are also involved with the cantata.

Practices for the cantata are once a week, every Sunday night, started Sept. 30. However, the actual performance isn't until December. This past Sunday was the first practice my sister-in-law and I were able to attend, and I have to say I think it will be a great show.

Not only are the classic Christmas songs like "Silent Night!" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the performance, but there are also songs that are very different from the classics. Plus, everyone involved really enjoys what they are doing, so it makes for great atmosphere.

Even though my sister-in-law and I came into the cantata two practices behind everyone else, they all welcomed us with open arms, and they were so surprised and excited we were there. They were even more surprised when they found out I wasn't able to read music, and I sing notes just by listening. When one lady found this out she looked at me and said, "You could have fooled me!"