“For me,” muses Shirley, “Christmas is much more than reminiscing or being enamored with the ‘old’ stuff. It’s a feeling of hope and a longing for peace. For most of us, Christmas carols conjure up fond memories of home. They lift our mood and make us feel a little less lonely and a little more loved. There is a greater sense of giving, family and community when we sing these songs together. The composers and lyricists of The Great American Christmas Songbook have instilled the sounds and images of Christmas in our hearts and minds with songs like, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’, ‘Silver Bells’, ‘The Christmas Song’, ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Silent Night’. These songs make us feel better – not just about the past or present, but also about the future. And if ever there was a time that we, as a community, could use some social connectedness, goodwill and cheer, it’s now!”