Christmas is spiced by the green coniferous branches, tasty food, Santa and his gifts, some believe. But Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of all times, reasoned that Christmas is made special by the music played.

Charles Dickens must have imagined what a Christmas celebration without any carols sang or saccharine music played, would look like.

It most probably would be difficult to forge a mood for the day because neither the décor, nor the drinks would match the Christmas songs, night angel, and other pieces of music played on the day.  

Even the related famous events, like lighting up the Christmas tree, common in the United States, are always flavored by music; in fact this event is all about music.

Christmas tree lighting is the deed that marks the start of a three-week celebration of Christmas before the day comes. Many world class musicians have to perform on the event; this year’s was graced by African-American singer, Jennifer Hudson, alongside U2 and Justin Bieber.

Ras Ryan, one of the percussionists of reggae band, Holly Jah Doves, says that music is unavoidable for the day because it not only creates the mood, but also makes the day fun.

"Music makes Christmas a real celebration, whether it is secular reggae, gospel soul, notes… because no movies, or football or any other thing could give equal entertainment.”

He adds, "For example, my band is busiest during Christmas days, right from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day which shows how much people find fun in music in the season.”

DJ Bissosso, one of the top local disc jockeys in Rwanda says, out of experience, that even those who have never entered club want to, on the day.

The fact that shops fall short of CDs of Christmas carols, night clubs work most, and choirs save their best  for Christmas,  alone shows how hard it would be to mark the day without music.  

emma.mprince@gmail.com