Babel

Category: Holidays

Holidays

  • 12/6 O Tannenbaum – Vienna Boys Choir, live

    O Tannenbaum performed by Vienna Boys Choir

    Beautiful voices blending together for a glorious salute to the Christmas tree. O Tannenbaum is German for Oh Christmas Tree, where it is said the decorating of a Holiday tree began. The song is often sung round the tree on Feast of St. Nicholas and throughout the Holiday Season.

    Vienna Boys Choir, Song: O Tannenbaum (a traditional Christmas carol), Album: Christmas Angels, Hans Gillesberger, 1978, RCA Gold Seal. Re-released in 1995.

    The Feast of St. Nicholas by Jan Steen The Feast of St. Nicholas

    Saint Nicholas or Nicholas of Myra born c. 270, Patara, Lycia, died 6 December 343, Myra, Lycia is considered the patron Saint of sailors in Greece, of lawyers in France, and of children and travelers in Belgium. There are thousands of churches dedicated to St. Nicholas.

    In the 12th century an official church holiday ‘The Feast of St. Nicholas’ celebrated December 6, was created in his honor. Traditionally this is a day of gift-giving and charity. St. Nicholas is one who may bring toys, nuts and gifts to children. On the eve of the feast some children leave their shoes by the hearth or outside. During the night they’re filled with goodies or switches (for nice or naughty children).  Who fills the shoes varies from country to country from the 3 wise men to St. Nicolas to baby Jesus to angels or the elder males of the family. A glorious happy day of celebration.

    May your shoes be filled with your heart desires!  Happy St. Nicholas Day.

     

    Vienna Boys’ Choir (German Wiener Sängerknaben) was formally created by Maximilian I of Habsburg in 1498. It  is one of the best known boys’ choirs performing worldwide. The Choir is divided into four touring choirs of equal standing; tours, appearances in Vienna and recording projects are shared among them. The touring choirs are named after famous Austrian composers Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. You can read more, see schedules and music at their website Wiener Sängerknaben.

    The painting above left is The Feast of St. Nicholas by Jan Steen c. 1660-65. Oil on canvas, 82 x 70.5 cm. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  You can see more painting by Jan Steen at Olga’s Gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/5 Star of Wonder

    Manger Scene photograph by Light. ©Bonnee Klein Gilligan. All rights reserved.

    ‘Star of Wonder’ photograph by Light

    A beautiful manger and a star in lights at the Mormon Temple in Phoenix, Arizona during the Christmas Season. The temple has displays of hundreds of thousands of lights, a manger scene and choir singing nightly. A lovely celebration of Christmas and a wonderful outing. I always enjoy our journeys South to see the lights.

    The Church of Christ (the original name for the Mormon Church now officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith their first prophet.  He translated the Book of Mormon, a record of an ancient people on the American continents.

    A quote from The Book of Mormon:

    “The spirit and the body shall be united again in its perfect form.” ~Alma 11:43

    christmas_candle Mormon’s believe that Christ’s birth occurred on April 6 but they celebrate Christmas in December with a tree, lights, gifts, and Santa Claus. The Christmas Holidays are a time for family, neighbors, friendship, thoughtfulness, acts of love, giving and celebration.

    Have a twinkling, joy filled day!

     

    light Light Traveler (August 1946 – July 2003)  photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. He filled my life with awe and wonder. Here’s to you Light!!! You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/4 The Angel Gabriel, Aled Jones live

    ‘The Angel Gabriel’ performed by Aled Jones, live

    Absolutely beautiful and inspiring performance. I felt Spirit moving as Aled sang this lovely hymn. Enjoy The Angel Gabriel!

    Artist: Aled Jones, album: The Christmas Album (2005), song: The Angel Gabriel, words: Basque carol, paraphrased by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924). Originally based on Angelus Ad Virginem, Anonymous 13th or 14th Century Latin. Alternate titles: Gabriel’s Message, The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came.

     Lyrics:Ecce Ancilla Domini, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1850

    The Angel Gabriel from heaven came
    his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame, “All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

    “For know a blessed mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honor thee, thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

    Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said, “My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.” most highly favored lady. Gloria!

    Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say “Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

    May angels bless and keep you safe throughout the Holidays! 

     

    Aled Jones Aled Jones born December 29, 1970 in Bangor, Wales is a Welsh singer, actor and television/radio personality. He first gained recognition as a boy soprano in the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was Lead Soloist within two years. In 1982 he won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for age 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod. By age 16 he sold more than six million albums. He has performed private recitals for Pope John Paul II, the Queen of England and the Prince and Princess of Wales. To date he has recorded twenty-four albums many reaching gold or platinum in the UK and Australia. You can read new, find out more and listen and buy his music at his website aledjones.co.uk.

    The painting above right is a perfect compliment to the beautiful hymn. It is called Ecce Ancilla Domini (“The Annunciation”) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 1850. Oil on canvas. Tate Gallery, London, UK. You can view more paintings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti at Olga’s Gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/3 Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

    Tchaikovsky’s ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’  performed on Glass harp by Robert Tiso

    Amazing sound, absolutely beautiful! Tiso plays ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ on wine glasses filled with water. The instrument is called a cristallofono or crystal glass harp and is played with the fingers. Wow! Enjoy some Holiday magic!

    sugarplumfairies_johnaardemaDance of the Sugar Plum Fairy comes from the Holiday classic ballet called The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker was written in 1892 by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. You can read more about Tchaikovsky at the Classical Archives.

    The sweet illustration of Sugar Plum Fairies dancing (right) is by John Aardema of Woodridge, IL a children’s book illustrator. You can see more of his works at inkyboy.com.

    Have a sweet day filled with Delight!

     

    robert tiso Robert Tiso, born 1968 in London, England is a master of the cristallofono (crystal glasses in played with the fingers). He currently resides in Bologna, Italy and travels worldwide giving concerts. The cristallofono was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Few know how to play the it, but through perseverance Robert learned and eventually mastered the art. You can listen to more music videos on youtube roberttiso or myspace cristallofonia.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/2 Glorious Creation

    Hubble pix faeries and beings sm

    Glorious Creation – Hubble Telescope photo

    What an amazing photo captured by Hubble Space Telescope! Glorious Creation is my name for this beautiful, magical image filled with angels, faeries and otherworldly beings. Every time I look, I see more and more of them. Can you see them happily dancing energetic worlds into being?

    A wonder filled way to begin the sacred month of December with this glorious gift – photographic evidence of Creation in process. WOW!!! Thank you beloved Creator!

    The image shows a pair of colossal stars, WR 25 and Tr16-244, located within the open cluster Trumpler 16. This cluster is embedded within the Carina Nebula, an immense cauldron of gas and dust that lies approximately 7500 light-years from Earth. The Carina Nebula contains several ultra-hot stars, including these two star systems and the famous blue star Eta Carinae, which has the highest luminosity yet confirmed.  You can read more at ESA Portal.

    Image: NASA, ESA and Jesús Maíz Apellániz (Instituto de xmasholyAstrofísica de Andalucía, Spain)

    Greetings of the Season. May it be filled with wonder!

     

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan