One of my favorite traditions this time of the year is Christmas music. I have my own Spotify playlist that I’ve updated over the years, adding more songs as I find them or as they’re released. This year hasn’t been any different, as I discovered new artists or instrumental renditions of classic Christmas tunes. And in that spirit, there are few anime that bring Christmas and music together better than Carole & Tuesday.

This enjoyable and encouraging series features the eponymous duo, two young girls who have dreams of becoming musicians. Though they have no connections to the industry and aren’t sure what to do, they have the grit and talent to figure things out. Just like most of us, wherever we are in the world, we are (hopefully) doing our best to push forward in life and get a little further ahead than where we currently are.

If you haven’t watched the anime, let me catch you up a little to this episode, 21. There are spoilers that I have to mention, so you have been warned. So far, the female duo have been able to prove themselves in various situations or venues and are now working on their album. The feedback from their producer is that the last song has to give a strong conclusion, and the two are stuck on how to create this final piece. Not only do they have that to worry about, but the Grammys are coming soon and they are performing.

Since it’s Christmas on Mars (yes, the planet), Tuesday is out with a friend looking for a tree and discussing what presents they should buy. Their manager, Gus, is speaking to an influential industry owner to arrange for another artist to perform with Carole & Tuesday. As all this is going on, a rival artist named Angela is dealing with depression and loneliness after the death of her mother, whom she finds out wasn’t really her biological mother and that she was adopted. Angela’s identity is a mystery, and she can’t find any record of where she came from.

After the girls set up their Christmas tree, they end up in a church to see if inspiration will hit them for their last track. Carole asks Tuesday, “Should we try praying?”, which then leads them to sitting up in the balcony of the church to perform. For them, prayer comes out of music—which can certainly be used as a way to pray. There are several psalms in the Bible which are adapted for use even today, and have been used for centuries as lyrics.

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

In her lyrics, Tuesday mentions that the world is in a bad place, and that they want to fill their music with a prayer. Since they are in a church, they find the location to be welcoming for that and begin to sing. The few people in attendance watch as they sing “Lay It All On Me,” which you can watch at the bottom of this post.

I found it encouraging that even though God was not mentioned in the episode, He has always been the hope of this dark world. If you have not been in a hopeless time in your life, it may happen to you one day. That’s not a pleasant thought but it is true, because life isn’t always easy or kind. Tragedies occur, people do terrible things to others, and we have to face the consequences of our actions. Where do we go when everything is falling apart? It is to Christ, the hope of glory, whom we ask for help (Col 1:24-29).

I love music that motivates me, but if I don’t have my time with God, then I will be stuck in the same place. Prayer that is given to God, asking Him to forgive us and help us in our times of need, is what we need to do.

John 4:23-24
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

When we open our hearts to Him, that’s when we are worshiping in spirit and truth. Our Heavenly Father listens to those that have received Christ as savior and asked His forgiveness for their sins. Even to those that aren’t sure about their faith, but are being sincere and seeking His grace, He leads them to His son, Jesus Christ.

The greatest hope you can have, more than music, connections, money or anything else, is God. He is the one I put my hope in. He never fails.

I hope like the lyrics of Carole & Tuesday’s song, you will be a light in this dark world and show others kindness, love, and joy wherever they are lacking.

I’ll leave a light on for you
In the darkest of the nights
When your pulse is racing
And the world won’t make you run

Carole & Tuesday can be streamed on Netflix.

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Samuru

When not conquering digital worlds in video games, he can be found reading, watching anime, listening to music writing, and just enjoying life as a geek in the city.

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