It has begun!!

10 am EST, and again at 7pm...

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, from King's College Chapel

Tune in by clicking here, and hooking up to the "FM Stream":

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enCA230CA230&q=wned+listen+live

December 24

Ding Dong Merrily On High

performed by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Ding dong merrily on high,

In heav'n the bells are ringing:

Ding dong! verily the sky

Is riv'n with angel singing.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below,

Let steeple bells be swungen,

And "Io, io, io!"

By priest and people sungen.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime

Your matin chime, ye ringers;

May you beautifully rime

Your evetime song, ye singers.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

This tune first appeared as a secular dance tune known as "le branle de l'Official" in Orchésographie, a dance book written by Jehan Tabourot (1519-1593). The lyrics for "Ding Dong Merrily On High" were written by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934), a gentleman who was very interested in church bell ringing. The poem was first published in 1924. The macaronic style is characteristic of Woodward’s delight in archaic poetry. Charles Wood harmonised the tune when it was published with Woodward's text in The Cambridge Carol Book. More recently, Sir David Willcocks composed an arrangement for the second book of Carols for Choirs, which is the version heard as today's Advent Calendar selection.

Another Bloomin' Christmas!

An excerpt from our favourite Christmas movie,

"Father Christmas"

based upon the wonderful book by Raymond Briggs

December 23

I Saw Three Ships

performed by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day?

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas day in the morning?

Our Savior Christ and His lady,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

Our Savior Christ and His lady,

On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day?

Pray whither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,

O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the bells on earth shall ring,

On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,

On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the souls on Earth shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

Then let us all rejoice amain,

On Christmas day in the morning.

The carol, "I Saw Three Ships" dates back to 17th Century England (most likely Derbyshire-- where my father was born. Not in the 17th Century, however... He would want me to point that out).

There are many versions of the carol, and it is often found in books of nursery rhymes. The lyrics used here can be found in "Christmas Carols, An­cient and Mo­dern", by William Sandys, published in 1833.

A bit of bliss for Monday...

"Che gelida manina" from Puccini's "La Bohème" Act I. Luciano Pavarotti (Rodolfo), Ileana Cotrubas (Mimì), Teatro alla Scala, 1979

Today is the birthday of one of my favourite composers: Giacomo Puccini, who was born in Lucca, Tuscany in 1858. He wrote many wonderful operas, including Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and the sublime La Bohème, which was written in 1896.

La Bohème was the very first opera that I remember ever experiencing. One Saturday afternoon when I was about eight or nine years old, my parents gathered the family around our brand spankin' new colour television, so that we could see "The King of the High C's", Luciano Pavarotti, perform the role of Rodolpho in a live broadcast... My mother and father's rapturous enthusiasm was contagious, and I remember being captivated by the story and the wonderful music for the entire blissful afternoon.

It was an "ear-opening" experience.

One doesn't really NEED to know what the translation of the words for this aria are... the soaring melody, Pav's incomparable technique and expression practically tells it all... But, perhaps it would help you to know that this aria is sung at the point in the story where the two lovers, Rodolpho and Mimi, first meet in a dark, cold stairwell. Mimi has lost the key to her door, and while helping her look for it, Rodolpho brushes her tiny, cold hand with his own.

Here is what he sings to her, translated into English. Swoon away-- I always do...

What a frozen little hand, let me warm it for you.

What's the use of looking? We won't find it in the dark.

But luckily it's a moonlit night, and the moon is near us here.

Wait, mademoiselle, I will tell you in two words,

who I am, what I do, and how I live. May I?

Who am I? I am a poet. What do I do? I write. And how do I live? I live.

In my carefree poverty I squander rhymes and love songs like a lord.

When it comes to dreams and visions and castles in the air, I've the soul of a millionaire.

From time to time two thieves steal all the jewels out of my safe, two pretty eyes.

They came in with you just now, and my customary dreams my lovely dreams,

melted at once into thin air! But the theft doesn't anger me,

for their place has been taken by hope!

Now that you know all about me, you tell me who you are. Please do!

December 22

"The Annunciation to the Shepherds" by Adam Pynacker, 1640

The Shepherd's Carol

by Robert Chilcott

and performed by the Choir of St John's Church

Elora, Ontario, Canada

Christmastime's a-coming...

"Christmastime's a-coming",
performed by Canada's own Raffi

... And I know I'm going home.

I think.

People, I am in need of some SERIOUS cattle-prodding to get me revved up to pack suitcases today... And it might help if I actually attacked Mt. Washmore and ran laundry, beforehand.

This is the part of "holidays" that I always have the most difficulty with. You mothers out there all know what I'm talking about: The part where the effort to get ready for the holiday seems to by far outweigh the potential pleasures of actually being away.

As well as the laundry and packing, there's the small issue of shovelling out this midden (because nothing says "Happy New Year!" like coming home to a CLEAN house), preparing the menagerie of animals to be cared for in our absence, rounding up about a zillion library books to be returned before we leave, so as to avoid outrageous overdue fines... and oh... any number of other things. You'd think I'd have a list for all of this, but today, for the first time in my whole life, I'm literally flying by the seat of my pants. And definitely. NOT. "up".

We'll see what gets accomplished. We'll see. Right now, with snow steadily falling outside my window (we're expecting another 20 cm today... $#@*&!!!), the temptation is GREAT to throw a few logs on the fire, put my feet up, and knit the day away... I'm still working on that tiny, green sweater for Wee three, as well as ANOTHER Noro scarf (I. just. can't. stop.), some Noro socks (YES! They make sock yarn, too!!), and a pair of warm little matching hats for Child Number Two and Wee Three...

Don't get me started. Because you KNOW I'll plop my bottom down on that sofa, start juggling projects, and the next thing I know, it will be tomorrow...

**sigh**

There are a few things that are cheering me up this morning, though. The girlies have been up for hours, and when I came down this morning, I found a few little pre-Christmas gifts waiting for me. On the front of my dishwasher, spelled out in magnetic letters:

Child Number Two's work. Insert sound of my heart melting *here*

And on the kitchen table, I found this little masterpiece:

By Wee Three

Is this not fantastically expressive?! I just love watching the slow, steady evolution of my children's drawing skills. It is fascinating to see the free-hand "scribbles" gradually change into shapes, and take form as details are noticed and added to the work. All of a sudden, "Mr Blobby" sprouts arms and legs, hair... and then the subjects are placed within little environments, and a whole story develops.

Wee Three says that this is a picture of "Sisters"... And I'm wondering what all of you think of it? Can you imagine what the little characters are saying to one another? The possibilities are truly endless. And this has gotten me to thinking...

How about a little contest, here at "I Can Fly, Just Not Up"? I have been extremely fortunate to have received some lovely emails from several of my readers, recently. To me, there could be no greater Christmas gift than getting to know all of you. I value every, single comment, and the letters you send me are so gratifying. I try very hard to answer every one of them, and do so enjoy getting to know a little about you, your families and the places where you live. I would love it if you would email me with your ideas for a caption for Wee Three's "Sisters" drawing. And on Boxing Day (December 26th) I will post a list of my favourites, and announce the winning entry.

The winner will receive a gift in the mail from me: a box of the finest hand-made chocolate in the entire world, from Stratford, Ontario's own Chocolate Barr's. The mere thought of this candy makes my mouth water, and happy little endorphins bounce around in my brain... And in twenty-four short hours, I shall once again be in the same town as this magical, addictive emporium...

And if THAT'S not a good enough reason to get onto that laundry and filling up suitcases-- PRONTO-- I don't know what is.

Put your thinking caps on, and send me your entries by midnight, EST, on December 25th, to:

candygirlflies@gmail.com

Good luck! I am so looking forward to your emails.

Thank you for reading. I appreciate every, single one of you.

December 21

Stained Glass Window by Herbert William Bryans

at St Andrew's Church, Holt, Norfolk.

The Holy Boy

music by John Ireland, poem by Herbert S. Brown

performed by pianist Eric Parkin

and also by Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus

Lowly, laid in a manger,
With oxen brooding nigh,
The Heav’nly Babe is lying
His Maiden Mother by.

Lo! the wayfaring sages,
Who journey’d far through the wild,
Now worship, silent, adoring,
The Boy, The Heav’nly Child –
The Heav’nly Child!

Leave your work and your play-time,
And kneel in homage and prayer.
The Prince of Love is smiling
Asleep in His cradle there!

Bend your heart to the wonder,
The Birth, the Mystery mild,
And worship, silent, adoring,
The Boy, The Heav’nly Child –
The Heav’nly Child!

Dim the light of the lantern,
And bare the mean abode,
Yet gold and myrrh and incense,
Proclaim the Son of God.

Lowly, laid in a manger,
By Virgin undefiled,
Come worship, silent, adoring,
The boy, The Heav’nly Child –
The Heav’nly Child!

A life lesson at Christmastime...

December 20

"The Nativity of Christ" , by Vladimir Borovikovsky, late 18th to early 19th century

In The Bleak Midwinter

a poem by Christina Rossetti

set to music by Gustav Holst, and performed by the St Olaf Choir

also arranged by Harold Edwin Darke, and performed by
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen,
Snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God incarnate,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day
A breast full of milk
And a manger full of hay.
Enough for him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But his mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him —
Give my heart.

"In the Bleak Midwinter" began as a poem by Christina Rossetti, written before 1872, in response to a request by the magazine "Subscriber's Monthly" for a Christmas submission. It was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904, and became a carol after it was set to music by Gustav Holst. It first appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906.

Another setting, written by Harold Edwin Darke, was performed in the early 20th century. The Darke version, with its beautiful and delicate organ accompaniment, gained popularity after the choir of King's College, Cambridge included it on its world-renowned radio broadcasts of The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Mr. Darke was the conductor of the choir during World War II.

I have posted these two different settings of "In the Bleak Midwinter" here today. The King's College version is my favourite (though I admit to being rawther biased). I feel that Mr. Darke's descending melody line gives the carol an air of vulnerability, somehow... It makes the words feel more like a story, which suits the "child-like" last verse, especially. The second version, which is the Gustav Holst tune, is sung a capella by the St. Olaf Choir. It fascinates me, even though I prefer Mr. Darke's musical arrangement. I love the way the music of each stanza is set so differently: the choir varies the tempo and the volume of the piece with each successive verse, thus constantly changing the emotional element of the song. Most interestingly, though, they occasionally change KEYS at the beginning of some verses, which helps to emphasize the words and subject matter of the original poem. All of this, combined with wonderfully complex harmonies, makes for quite a remarkable performance.

Here Amid the Winter Snow...

What a day.

We're one storm into Blizz-a-palooza,

up here in the Great White North...

The family that shovels together stays together...

(child labour laws bedamned!)

Because let's face it:

If we don't shovel together,
we'll be stuck in here together. Forever.

Dear Santa:

Please bring me a shiny, red snowblower.

Hurry.

xoxo CGF

December 19

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

performed by (Sweet Baby) James Taylor

Francis P. Church, The New York Sun's religious-affairs reporter, took on the task of answering a seemingly simple question, posed to him in a letter from an inquisitive little girl, and his eloquent response has provided an answer for children-- and adults-- for over a century.

************

Dear Editor:

I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

- Virginia O'Hanlon

************

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

No Santa Claus! You might not as well believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, because that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

No Santa Claus! Thank God, he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

-- The New York Sun, September 21, 1897

************

ps. I finished the Christmas shopping today. Virtual high-five!!

Dear Santa...

She mailed her letter today...

all by her wee self.

Shortbread

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and then combine:

2 c all purpose flour

3/4 c corn starch

1 c icing sugar

1 c softened butter

Mix all the ingredients together well, until it is a "dough-like" consistency... I am always amazed at the incredible silkiness of this dough-- it is so beautifully smooth, as a result of the cornstarch!

Roll the dough out on a cool, lightly-floured surface, to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out small circles, or long "finger" shapes. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, about two inches apart.

Bake in the middle of the oven for about 10 or 15 minutes... just until the cookies are slightly golden around the edges.

Remove from the oven, and while the cookies are still hot on the baking sheet, sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar. Allow to cool for 10 minutes or so, before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Best enjoyed with a cup of tea, and a wee girlie munching away

and drinking hot chocolate alongside you.

December 18

The Nativity by Federico Barocci (c. 1535-1612)

The Nativity Carol

by John Rutter

and performed by The Cambridge Singers

Little Girls...

It's happening again.

Today, my Wee Three came home from junior kindergarten, fell into my arms, and began to sob.

Not the kind of weeping indulged in by an overstimulated, overtired child. This was the kind of crying that emits straight from a little person's heart, when that heart has been trodden on and squelched.

"I... had... a BAAAAD DAAAAY!!!" she hic-coughed, when she could catch enough breath to form words.

I immediately scooped her up in my arms, and carried her over to the couch, where we snuggled down together under an afghan, so that she could tell me all about it.

Wee Three is one of the littlest people in her class... and truth be told, I had serious, serious trepidations about putting her in public school this year. Although she was "of age" by September, I wasn't entirely convinced that she was emotionally ready to deal with a large, boisterous classroom with less adult-to-child supervision, after her two blissful years at a wonderful nursery school. I was deeply concerned that junior kindergarten would be too dramatic a change for her, and that she would be put-off of "big school" from the get-go.

My feelings changed, however, when she was awarded a placement in the same class as her best little friend in the whole-wide-world... the daughter of one of my own most cherished friends. As mothers, we agreed that our girls having one another for support would be a boon for them both-- they are emotionally bonded enough to be like sisters to one another, and yet, in larger social situations, the two of them easily form new friendships, and include other children in their play.

We have had a few days this school year when one or the other of them has been ill, and had to remain at home. The "at-school" child has fared pretty well alone, and so I didn't have any major qualms about my Wee One this week... For this is the week that her special friend has taken an extended Christmas vacation, and flown off to her Grandma and Grandpa's house for the holidays.

Monday went pretty well. Yesterday, too.

But today, not so much.

Today, my daughter had her first real experience with bullying. And for the first time, there was no-one there who "had her back", so to speak.

One little ringleader apparently formed a "club" at playtime, and included every female member of the class. Invited them to join, even. But when MY little one asked to play, too, she was refused. Not only that, the other children in the "club" were instructed by the ringleader that they were not to play with Wee Three.

These children are THREE, FOUR and FIVE YEARS OLD.

It's starting even younger than it did with Child Number One, who was in second grade before any of this organized nastiness first reared its ugly head...

And I have learned a lot since then.

I have learned that parents MUST be pro-active when it comes to bullying. We must not stand idly by, and hope it will "blow over". We must not accept teachers' misguided reassurances that little girls are by nature "changeable" creatures, and that "tomorrow, everyone will be friends again".

Tomorrow, I am going to approach the ringleader's mother in the school playground. And I will relay my daughter's experience. If necessary, I will include the teacher and the children in a discussion. Because I'm going to nip this in the bud-- NOW-- in a firm, calm, respectful manner.

And I'm going to show my little girl that it is okay to speak up when she is deliberately and maliciously excluded from a group. Okay to value herself enough to be assertive.

It is more than okay.

It is essential.

December 17

"O Christmas Tree"

played by Canada's very own

Oscar Peterson

bless his heart for making me love this tune again...

"...I have to do quite a bit of trimming

for it's Christmas Eve tonight

trim trinkles and drinkles and sklinkles of glass

Trim everything in sight

We hang everything on our Christmas tree

Ornaments big and bright

and all of these sparkling icicles

and twirling balls of white

I always hang a star on top

with angels in between

Here's how many lights we have--

Thirty-seven and sixteen...

Then I must lie down and smell the pine

and gaze at the Christmas star

Perchance to feel in these piney pine needles

just where

my presents are..."

--excerpt from "Eloise at Christmastime", by Kay Thompson

illustrated by the ingenious Hilary Knight

December 16

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

sung by the immortal Judy Garland

from the film, "Meet Me In St. Louis"

I have just put one of my dearest friends on a flight home for the Christmas holidays today... and I'm missing her, and her three wonderful children, keenly tonight. However, I know in my heart that they'll all be overwhelmingly loved and cherished by The Grandparents-- just as they deserve to be.

Merry Christmas, sweetie. Relax. Enjoy.

Hurry home.

xoxoxoxo

December 15

Adoration of the Shepherds (1535-40), by Agnolo Bronzino

Jesus Child

by John Rutter, and performed by

The Cambridge Singers

December 14

Madonna and Child c. 1340-45, by Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

A Hymn to the Virgin

Anonymous, c. 1300, with music by Benjamin Britten

performed by Polyphony

Of on that is so fayr and bright

Velut maris stella,
Brighter than the day is light,

Parens et puella:
Ic crie to the, thou see to me,
Levedy, preye thi Sone for me,

Tam pia,
That ic mote come to thee

Maria.

Al this world was for-lore

Eva peccatrice,
Tyl our Lord was y-bore

De te genetrice.
With ave it went away
Thuster nyth and comz the day

Salutis;
The welle springeth ut of the,

Virtutis.

Levedy, flour of alle thing,

Rose sine spina,
Thu bere Jhesu, hevene king,

Gratia divina:
Of alle thu ber'st the pris,
Levedy, quene of paradys

Electa:
Mayde milde, moder es

Effecta.

Recently, I have been very fortunate to have been contacted by a lovely lady who has been reading my blog, and listening to the Christmas carols. We have been corresponding for the past several days, and I have been so delighted by her writing, her warmth and good counsel.

Yesterday, she wrote something that struck a deep chord in me... We had been discussing motherhood, and the challenges we both face. She said that she had suddenly realized that as women,"WE create Christmas. Even in tough times. It's up to us."

She is so right. It is up to us. That is how Christmas began, after all. With a new mother, just doing the very best she could, in the circumstances she found herself under. Trying to be a good woman, against all odds. Just like all of us.

Hence, the choice of carol today, the "Hymn to the Virgin". A beautiful, thirteenth-century verse, dedicated to an extraordinary woman, devoted wife and loving mother, who did the very best she could, for her child, and for her family, on that first Christmas Night.

I'm officially obsessed.

Guess what I found this morning, while researching tomorrow's entry for the Musical Advent Calendar?

This fourteenth-century painting, by Betram von Minden.

WHY does this work excite me so much?

Apparently, it is the oldest picture in Western history depicting the use of double-pointed knitting needles.

The Noro yarn?

Is seriously affecting my brain...

December 13

"Madonna della Paglia": Madonna of the Straw

Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Flemish, 1599-1641)

Dormi, Jesu!
(The Virgin's Cradle-Hymn)
Words by S. T. Coleridge, arranged by John Rutter
sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Dormi, Jesu! Mater ridet

Quae tam dulcem somnum videt,

Dormi, Jesu! blandule!

Si non dormis, Mater plorat,

Inter fila cantans orat,

Blande, veni, somnule.

Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling:

Mother sits beside thee smiling;

Sleep, my darling, tenderly!

If thou sleep not, mother mourneth,

Singing as her wheel she turneth:

Come, soft slumber, balmily!

The lyrics of Dormi Jesu were taken from an original Latin verse found under an engraving by Hieronymus Wierix, titled "The Virgin Sewing While Angels Rock Her Son to Sleep". English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote a poetic version of the Latin verse, which he then published in Sibylline Leaves under the title The Virgin's Cradle-Hymn, in 1817.

December 12

Gerard (Gerrit) van Honthorst (1590–1656), "Adoration of the Children" (1620)

"Silent Night"

performed by the Elora Festival Singers

of Elora, Ontario, Canada

The Story of Silent Night, "The Song from Heaven"

as told by Lisa Granfield

Father Josef Mohr was born in 1792. He sang sacred music as a boy, became a priest, and was appointed to the Church of St. Nicola in Oberndorf, Austria.

Franz Xaver Bruger, born in 1787, studied to become a teacher and, in 1807, became the schoolmaster and organist in Arnsdorf, a village near Oberndorf. Father Mohr and Gruber became friends when the teacher traveled to play the organ at St. Nicola.

On the day before Christmas, 1818, the church organ was broken. Perhaps the constant damp from the nearby Salzach River had rusted parts of the instrument.

A more entertaining explanation involves hungry mice. Driven inside by the fierce wither cold, the tiny animals found the organ's leather bellows very tasty. Consequently, the mice chewed a hole that crippled the instrument.

Since unaccompanied singing was unpopular in those days, Father Mohr asked Gruber to compose music for the verses he'd written for that day. Within a few hours, Gruber matched notes to the words of the new song for voice and guitar that eventually became known as "Silent Night".

After the holiday, Karl Mauracher was called to repair the organ. It is believed that he took the new song home with him and shared it with musicians and singers he met. "Stille Nacht", however, became a forgotten title. The song was called "The Song From Heaven" and was said to be of "unknown origin".

During the mid-1800's, groups of strolling, family singers performed in the streets and often gave concerts. The talented Strasser family were such a group of entertainers. The four Strasser children performed "The Song From Heaven" whenever their glove-maker parents traveled to fairs to sell their goods. By 1832, the Strassers had taken the song to Leipzig and introduced it to German audiences.

In 1839, another singing family, the Rainers, took the song to the United States and performed it for delighted audiences. "The Song From Heaven" was soon included in prayer books and hymnals.

As the song's popularity grew, Father Mohr and Gruber were all but forgotten. Some people believed that "The Song From Heaven" had been written by Mozart, Beethoven, or Franz Joseph Haydn's brother, Johann Michael. Others thought it was a Tyrolean folk song.

In 1854, musical authorities in Berlin sent to Salzburg and asked if the Haydn manuscript was in St. Peter's Church. As it happened, Felix Gruber, Franz's youngest son, was a choirboy at the church. He told his father about the request.

Gruber had left St. Nicola in 1829 and was living near Salzburg in Hallein. He attempted to settle the debate by writing a document entitled "The Authentic Occasion for the Writing of the Christmas Song 'Silent Night, Holy Night'".

Thirty-six years after "Stille Nacht" was first performed in a cold village church, its worldwide audience finally learned the identities of its humble and gifted creators.

Father Mohr left St. Nicola in 1819. He died and was buried in Wagrain in December, 1848. His friend Gruber lived until 1863.

One of the most moving stories about the song took place during the horrors of World War I. On Christmas Eve, 1914, in the dark European trenches, the freezing men awaited the next attack by the enemy soldiers across no man's land. But there was no shooting. Only silence. Afraid to peer over the top of the trench, the British soldiers quietly sat and listened to the rising sound of men's voices singing.

When they dared to look across the battle-scarred terrain, the British saw the gleam of tiny lights, as the Germans lit candles on small Christmas trees in their trenches. "Stille Nacht" filled the air as the German soldiers observed the holy eve of peace.

In a desolate landscape far from home, the soldiers of both sides called a truce. They embraced, shared cigars, chocolate and sausages. On Christmas Day, they played soccer on the battlefield.

The unofficial truce lasted for days but, eventually, the men returned to the business at hand-- war-- for nearly four more years.

After World War I, the popularity of "Silent Night" continued to grow. In the 1920's and 30's, radio listeners heard the song performed by many singers, including Franz Gruber's own grandson who played it on Father Mohr's guitar.

Famous contralto, Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, sang "Stille Nacht" each Christmas Eve on the radio in what became a holiday tradition for families around the world. "Mother" Schumann-Heink also recorded it for play on phonographs. Translations enabled people everywhere to share the song.

The deteriorating original Church of St. Nicola was torn down around 1900. The small Stille Nacht Kapelle (Silent Night Chapel) was built in Oberndorf to commemorate Father Josef Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber and, every Christmas Eve, a special service is held outside the chapel.

Whether it is heard in a show-covered Alpine village or under a blazing African sky, "Silent Night" invites us to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and to "sleep in heavenly peace".

This marvellous excerpt is from the children's book, "Silent Night: The Song from Heaven". It was written by Linda Granfield, and the illustrations are by Nelly and Ernest Hofer. I cannot recommend this wonderful book highly enough-- it should be a part of every child's Christmas book collection.

Betty's bang-on, once again...

With the failure of the "Big 3 Bail-out" in the US... I am thinking of all the auto workers, Canadian and American, who fear for their jobs and their futures tonight.

December 11

"The Nativity at Night" by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, about 1490

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Words and Music by Robert MacGimsey (1898–1979), 1932

and performed by the incomparable Jessye Norman

Sweet little Jesus Boy

They made You be born in a manger

Sweet little Holy child

Didn't know who You was.

Didn't know You'd come to save us Lord

To take our sins away.

Our eyes was blind;

We couldn't see

We didn't know who You was.

Long time ago You was born

Born in a manger low,

Sweet little Jesus Boy.

The world treat You mean Lord,

Treat me mean too.

But that's how things is down here,

we didn't know t'was You.

You done showed us how,

we is trying.

Master, You done showed us how,

even when you's dying.

Just seem like we can't do right,

look how we treated You.

But please, Sir, forgive us Lord;

We didn't know 'twas You.

Sweet little Jesus Boy

Born long time ago,

Sweet little Holy child

And we didn't know who You was.

Robert MacGimsey wrote this carol after walking past crowded speak-easies in New York City on Christmas Eve, 1932. Intended as an art song, it became one of many quasi-spirituals.

MacGimsey explained to Robin White in 1966, "This is not so much a song as just a meaning. You have to imagine an aging Negro standing off in the middle of a field just giving his heart to Jesus in the stillness."

"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.

He came unto His own, and His own received Him not."

John 1:10-11

December 10

"Madonna of the Rose Garden"
by Stefan Lochner, about 1450


King Jesus Hath a Garden
performed by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge

King Jesus hath a garden, filled with divers flow'rs
where I go culling posies gay, all times and hours.

There naught is heard but Paradise bird,

harp, dulcimer, lute, with cymbal,

trump and tymbal, and the tender soothing flute.

The Lily white in blossom there, is Chastity:

the Violet, with sweet perfume, Humility.

The Crown Imperial bloometh too in yonder place,

'tis charity, of stock divine, the flow'r of grace.

Yet, 'mid the brave, the bravest prize of all may claim
The Star of Bethlem-Jesus-bless'd be his Name!

Ah! Jesu Lord, my heal and weal, my bliss complete,

make thou my heart thy garden plot, fair, trim and neat.

That I may hear this musick clear,

harp, dulcimer, lute, with cymbal,

trump and tymbal, and the tender soothing flute.

This is a traditional Dutch carol, entitled "Heer Jesus heeft een Hofken"
from Geestlijcke Harmonie, written in 1633
Translated into English by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934)

Okay, NOW I get it...

Why didn't they just explain it like this in economics class???

The view from here...

Gratuitous photo of some of the spectacularly gorgeous Noro scarves that I've been knitting obsessively. Yes, I'm bragging. But knitting with this yarn is so satisfyingly addictive, who cares???!

The lovely and talented Sarah, from "Slouching Past Forty" has challenged us to a meme... And to give you a little break from all the Christmas music, I though I'd give it a try. The fact that I'm stuck at home with small children while copious amounts of snow and sleet dump down outside has NOTHING to do with this.

Ha ha.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Goddess' Desk:

Cleaned up version, of course. Trust me when I tell you that it will NOT look like this for long.

This is where I do most of my blogging, from a little alcove tucked in a corner of my kitchen. It's what we call the "command centre". I love the fact that I can pull down the roll-top, and hide my usually disastrous desk-top from view. However, almost all of my music collection has been stored on this computer, which means that the mess is usually fully exposed so that I can use the speakers and sub-woofer. Someday I'll get organized and hook the works into our stereo system...

The second part of the meme is to take a photo of the view from the place that I blog... All the things I can see from my chair. Since the desk is actually a part of the cabinetry, I will swivel my chair around for you:

GAAAAAAA.


Where's Mr Clean when you need him???

Right.

I confess. The command centre is not the only place where I blog... We shall now endeavor to block the mess out of our minds for a moment (after three children, I have nearly perfected this avoidance technique, for reasons of sanity-preservation). We will now go in search of my laptop:

Aaaaahh. Much better.

The view from here?

Let it snow.

December 9

Nativity Windows at Trinity Church, Boston

designed by Edward Burne-Jones, manufactured by William Morris

O Little One Sweet

harmonized by J. S. Bach

performed by The Cambridge Singers

O little one sweet,

O little one mild,

Thy Father's purpose thou hast fulfilled;

Thou cam'st from heav'n to mortal ken,

Equal to be with us poor men,

O little one sweet,

O little one mild.

O little one sweet,

O little one mild,

With joy thou hast the whole world filled;

Thou camest here from heav'n's domain,

To bring men comfort in their pain,

O little one sweet,

O little one mild.

O little one sweet,

O little one mild,

Help us to do as thou hast willed.

Lo, all we have belongs to thee!

Ah, keep us in our fealty!

O little one sweet,

O little one mild.

Written by Samuel Scheidt (1650), English translation by Percy Dearmer

December 8

"The Twelve Days of Christmas"

sung by Dame Kiri te Kanawa

Confession?

I have always HATED this song.

It's redundant, redundant, redundant. To make matters even worse, it's one of the most frequently recorded carols, and seriously overplayed.

Listening to this song in all of its nauseating varieties, in every major shopping centre from Wal Mart to Holt Renfrew, makes me feel as though my brain is going to rupture and leak out of my ears.

So imagine my shock and surprise when I discovered this particular recording, featuring the sublime New Zealand opera star, Dame Kiri te Kanawa.

This recording? Takes my breath away.

Dame Kiri is clearly in her element, and her soaring, lilting voice is full of all of the good humour required to make this song successfully engaging for the listener. Even more brilliantly, each verse has its own little musical theme which is carried along through each successive verse, and culminates into a wonderfully inspiring finale.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" originated as a children's rhyme that was published in a book called "Mirth without Mischief " in about 1780. It was used as a memory and forfeit game, wherein each player took it in turns to say the rhyme, and more lines were added with every round. It is also rumoured to have been written as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn their faith. However, this would have been at a time when practicing Catholicism was discouraged in England, and there is apparently no substantive primary evidence that supports this claim.

The date of the song's first performance is not known, though it was used in European and Scandinavian traditions as early as the sixteenth century. Frederic Austin wrote an arrangement in the early twentieth century, which can be found in The New Oxford Book of Carols. He added his own melody from the verse "Five gold(en) rings" onwards, which is why the latter part of the song sounds quite different from the beginning.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the evenings of those twelve days ("Twelve-tide"), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day, through the morning of Epiphany (January 6). This period of time is also known as "Christmastide".

December 7

"Happy Christmas", by Viggo Johansen

The Candlelight Carol
music by John Rutter, performed by The Cambridge Singers

How do you capture the wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How can you measure the love of a mother,
Or how can your write down a baby's first cry?
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn,
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born.

Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him,
Seraphim round him their vigil will keep;
Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior,
But Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep.
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow,
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn,
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born.

Find Him at Bethlehem laid in a manger:
Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay.
Godhead incarnate and hope for salvation:
A child with his mother that first Christmas Day.
Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow,
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn,
Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!
Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born!

December 6

Song for a Winter's Night

sung by one of Canada's finest:

Gordon Lightfoot

It's a chilly one out there today, with more snow in the forecast. So what better fare to serve for dinner than a hearty, wholesome one-dish meal, entitled "Casserole for a Cold Night"? This heavenly concoction is one of my girlies' favourites, and freezes like a dream... Double the recipe, and prepare an extra to pull out for supper over the Christmas holidays!

Casserole for a Cold Night

from "The Best of Bridge" cookbook series

1 lb extra lean ground beef

One 7 1/2 oz can of tomato sauce

1 garlic clove, minced (I use a garlic press, instead)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp white sugar

One 14 oz can of tomatoes (I like the ones with Italian seasoning)

3 c broad egg noodles, cooked and drained

4 oz light cream cheese, cut in cubes

1 c sour cream

6 green onions, chopped finely

1 1/2 c grated old cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large, deep skillet, brown the beef, and drain off all fat. Add the tomato sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, sugar and tomatoes. Cover the pan, and let the mixture simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes.

Cook and drain the noodles, then while they are still hot, combine them with the cubed cream cheese (give it a gentle stir, to help the cheese melt a bit). Add the sour cream and green onions.

In a greased, 3-quart baking dish, layer the meat sauce, noodle mixture and cheddar cheese alternately. Top with extra grated cheddar. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Serve with a nice, crisp green salad, and a beautiful bottle of red wine...

Enjoy. And keep warm, everybody!