Babel

Tag: Holidays

  • 12/24 O Holy Night, Merry Christmas

    ‘O Holy Night’ sung by Mariah Carey

    Amazing, inspired, WOW! I can feel Spirit moving through Mariah and all her back up singers and the room. Whew! I love this rendition… it gives me chills and brings tears.

    Mariah Carey, Song: O Holy Night, album: Merry Christmas (1994), label: Sony, Official Music Video by: Columbia/Sony (2008). Words: Placide Cappeau (1847), music:Adolphe-Charles Adam (1847)

    'Christmas Aurora' photograph by © Sauli Koski

    ‘O Holy Night’ was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877) as “Cantique de Noel’. He was a wine merchant in Roquemaure, France who wrote poetry for enjoyment.  The music was written by his friend Adolphe-Charles Adam (1803-1856) who is best known for the ballet Giselle (1841).

    ‘Cantique de Noel’ premiered Christmas Eve 1847 at the midnight mass in Roquemaure. It wasn’t popular, in fact one bishop said it had a “lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion’. Here is an English translation of the first verse of the original Cantique de Noël (Minuit Chrétiens). You can read more about the song here.

    Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour
    When God as man descended among us
    To expunge the stain of original sin
    And to put an end to the wrath of his father.
    The entire world thrills with hope
    On this night which gives us a savior.
    People, on your knees, attend your deliverance.
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!

    Cantique de Noël was first translated to English as ‘O Holy Night’  in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) a Unitarian minister and music critic from Brook Farm, MA. ‘O Holy Night’ has been said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas carols of all time. The first verse of ‘O Holy Night’ as translated by John Dwight follows… you can read more about it here.

    O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
    It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
    Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world1 rejoices,
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

    Chorus
    Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
    O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
    O night, O holy night, O night divine.

    The beautiful photo above left I call, ‘Christmas Aurora’ is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his beautiful photographs at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

    Another beautiful gift from Creator. Thank you, thank you, thank you Beloved God for all of your Glory and Wonders.

    Have a wonderful, inspired and happy Christmas Eve.

     

    Mariah Carey Mariah Carey born March 27, 1970 Long Island, NY is a singer and actress. She moved to the City one day after high school graduation in 1987. In 1990 Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola took her under his wing and the rest is history. Mariah married Tommey in 1993. In 2000 she was named the best-selling female pop artist of the millennium at the World Music Awards. You can read her bio at myplay.com or see the latest news and more at her website mariahcarey.com.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/23 Winter Wonderland, Andy Williams

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ performed by Andy Williams and his brothers

    Wonderful, happy and joyful. I remember watching Andy William’s Christmas Shows when I was a child. It was part of our Christmas tradition for years. Loved finding and sharing this jewel with you.

    Andy Williams and the Williams’ Brothers, Song: Winter Wonderland, DVD TV Special re-release: Happy Holidays: The Best of The Andy Williams Christmas Shows. Recently aired November 28 – December 13, 2008 on PBS. The quartet performs holiday classics including, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ as well as many other songs. A DVD of the show is available at andywilliams.com. ‘Winter Wonderland’ words and music by Dick Smith & Felix Bernard, copyright 1934.

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ lyrics by Richard B. Smith (1901-1935) born in Pennsylvania. Music composed by Felix Bernard (1897-1944) born in Brooklyn, NY.  The song first sung by Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians (1934) was an instant HydeParkWinterWonderland ornamentsuccess. The song has become a Holiday tradition. You can read more about the it at Hymns and Carols.

    London, England is having a ‘Winter Wonderland’ event in Hyde Park, November 22, 2008 through January 4, 2009. A festive celebration of the Holidays you can find out more at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    Have a wonderful winter and a joyous Holiday!

     

    Andy Williams Andy Williams given name, Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams, born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa is a music icon. His first singing performance was in a children’s choir at the local Presbyterian Church. In the late 1930’s he formed a quartet with his three older brothers Bob, Don and Dick. They sang together until Andy went solo in 1952. The rest is history. You can read more at andywilliams.com or wikipedia.

    Photo of the ornament is from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/22 Ha Nerot, Happy Hannukah

    Ha Nerot sung by Chava Rachel Saban

    Happy and filled with Light, a wonderful tribute to Hannukah.  Enjoy the Holy Lights of the menhora dancing to this joyful song!

    Chava Rachel Saban, Song: Ha Nerot, album: Don’t Give Up (2008), video by: Daniel Jacob Pearson

     

    hanukkah litesHa-nerot hallalu  is an ancient chant mentioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6), which is a reminder of the sacred nature of the Hannukah lights. It is said after the candles are lit. Photo from history.com.

    Hannukah (Heb. Judaism, Dedication) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It honors the victory of Judah the Maccabee, religious freedom and the ‘miracle of holy oil’ and celebrates the power of God. Hannukah begins at sundown the previous day and lasts for 8 days. This year it is celebrated 12/22 to 12/29.

    Happy Hannukah! May your life be filled with miracles everyday.

     

    Chava Rachel Saban says about herself,

    “I was a junior in Yale college, pursuing a literature degree along with a musical career as a classical violinist, when a wheel flew off the car i was driving. the car flipped, i was knocked unconscious, and had my first spiritual awakening. i clearly experienced the next world, and felt the presence of a friend who had passed away. i heard a heavenly sound; the sound of myself playing the violin. it was the sweetest sound in the world. i began to realize that this sound was inside of me, the song of my soul. i began to realize that i had a soul. I began to sing in order to heal myself.”

    I wasn’t able to find much about Chava Rachel Saban. Her webpage wasn’t loading this morning 12/22. I linked her name to it in hopes it works again soon.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/21 'The Light', Winter Solstice

     winter-solstice-2003

    ‘The Light’, Winter Solstice at New Grange, County Meath, Ireland photograph by Alan Betson

    Only on Winter Solstice each year will the sunrise create this beautiful warm glow in the depths of the chamber at New Grange. In complete darkness (the womb or void) one sits in quiet contemplation until the sun’s first rays bring the renewal of sweet light and life.  A reminder of the all the blessing it brings for another season. The photo looks a bit like ‘light at the end of a tunnel’, or ‘a star at the top of an evergreen tree’. Spectacular!

    Message… the Light increases multifold this day. Open to receive the blessings which are pouring forth. Come to me I await you. Let us dance in joy and celebrate the Glory and Majesty of God. Be of good cheer for it comes. Rejoice!

     

    Celebration abounds…

    12/21 – Winter begins, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Winter Solstice (12:04 am UTC).

    Winter Solstice Fire Lord - Steven LucasYule, Pagan and Wiccan holiday which ushers in the return of Light. It celebrates the return of the Sun God. It is a time of enlightenment, when light is reborn in the womb of darkness to begin another cycle.

    The lighting of the Yule log (usually oak or pine), is a traditional custom for the Holiday. It symbolizes and honors the Sun God. Some of the log is kept to begin next years yule fire.
    During Yule homes are decorated with fresh evergreens, holly, ivy and mistletoe commemorating the coming of light and life. Fresh greenery in winter is seen as a magical tool of growth. Yule is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth. The celebrations include much laughter, singing, dancing and feasting.

    The painting above left is called ‘Winter Solstice Fire Lord’ by Steven Lucas (2008). Amazing, powerful image. I hear him say “Come within, warm self and dance with me… renew.” Magnificent! You can read Steven’s blog or see more of his works at fineartamerica.com.

     

    Ganesha_Panchamukha 12/21 to 12/25 – Pancha Ganapati, Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha the Five-Faced Maha Ganapati – Lord of Categories. The celebration is five days of festivities, feasts charity and gift-giving.  Daily chants, songs and bhajanas are sung and trays of sweets, fruits and incense are offered. After the daily puja, sweets are shared. Gifts are given to the children each day, who put them before Pancha Ganapati, all are saved to open on the the last day. The festival is centered on restoring peace, love, harmony and bringing joy and happiness. Image is Lord Ganesha. More at hinduismtoday.com.

     

    menorah from Kaboose12/21 to 12/29 – Chanukah the Festival of Lights, eight-day Jewish festival that begins on the eve of Kislev 25, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. The menorha (a nine-branched candelabra) is lit nightly, starting with a single flame plus the shamash on the first night. Two on the second and so on until all eight lights plus the shamash are kindled. The holiday traditions include eating foods fried in oil, such as  latkes (potato pancakes), dreidel games and “gelt,” gifts of money. Image is a menorha. More at chabad.org.

     

    soyal kachina 12/21 to 1/9 – Soyala New Year Festival, Hopi, Pueblo and Zuni American Indian tribes consider this a time of purification and renewal. The Soyala symbolizes the second phase of Creation at the dawn of life. One of the most sacred celebrations which honors the beginning of a new cycle. Activities take place in the kiva and include reverent silence, fasting, humility and eating of sacred foods to achieve spiritual focus.  Prayer feathers are prepared and placed in homes, villages and in shrine sites around the ancestral homeland. Picture is of the Hopi Soyal Kachina who comes in December. More brownielocks.com.

    May the Light renew you and yours on this sacred day. Happy Holidays!

     

    The photo of the 2003 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland is by Alan Betson, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland. The photo was printed on the front page of The Irish Times newspaper on the 22nd December 2003. You can find out more about Alan at gaelicweb.com.

    There is a webcast of the 2007 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland available at newgrange.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/20 Let it Snow, Emilie-Claire Barlow

    ‘Let it Snow’ performed by Emilie-Claire Barlow

    Jazzy, swinging and fun. Wonderful! Found this jewel yesterday on Youtube. Right now many places are covered in snow, ice or cold rain… the weather outside is indeed frightful. So let’s stay inside… happy, warm and dry. Make some hot chocolate or mulled cider, wrap up in a blanket, surrounded by family and friends or alone with a wonderful book. Or even better, in quiet communion with God… giving thanks for all the blessings showered upon us in every moment. Thank you beloved Creator for your blessing of snow. It’s sooooo beautiful!!!!!

    Emilie-Claire Barlow, song: Let it Snow, Album: Winter Wonderland (2006), Label: Empress Music Group Inc, Video: Clip from Canada AM (CTV).

    ‘Let it Snow’ also known as ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!‘ was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne in 1945. It is one of the most popular songs of all-time . Was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946 and went to number one the following year.

    Luxor Las Vegas snow 12-17-08 by Ethan Miller12/17/08 Let it Snow… in Las Vegas, Nevada? The Luxor is covered with snow in a rare storm which blanketed the city with 3.6″. Photo by Ethan Miller/ Getty Images North America. You can see more photos of the Vegas snow by Ethan at zimbo.com. A lovely gift for the Holidays.

    Have a warm, dry, happy day and a Blessed Holiday!

     

    Emilie-Claire Barlow Emilie-Claire Barlow born June 6, 1976 in Canada is a jazz singer and actress. She began singing at age seven, spent 5 years at Etobicoke School of the Arts, then continued her studies at Humber College. While at Humber she formed a jazz quartet and performed around Toronto. In 1998 she released her first CD: Emilie-Claire Barlow – SINGS. You can read her blog or learn more at emilieclairebarlow.com or myspace emilieclairebarlow.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan