Quote of the Week "Christmas is forever, not for..."

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself..."

~Norman Wesley Brooks,
"Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~Author Unknown

Quote of the Week "May Peace be your gift..."

"May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!"

~Author Unknown

Happy Chanukah!

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah and the Jewish festival of lights. I am not Jewish and have never celebrated Chanukah but if I did I would definitely enjoy the extra time with family around the dinner table and the lighting of the menorah. As a Christian I have a deep respect for the Jewish people and their culture. It has helped to form many of my Christian traditions. Here's my favorite Chanukah song, enjoy!

The Chanukah Song

Quote of the Week "He who has not...."

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

~Roy L. Smith

Quote of the Week "Christmas, children..."

"Christmas, children, is not a date.
It is a state of mind."

~Mary Ellen Chase

O Magnum Mysterium

O Magnum Mysterium has become a regular on high school choral music repertoire lists across the country and rightfully so. It is quite beautiful in its deceptive simplicity. Morten Lauridsen composed this version of the original responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas and has given it a timeless quality even though it is quite contemporary. I can't wait to perform this one again. Enjoy this recording from the Chorus Paulinus on May 27, 2001 @ The Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo, California. I have included the Latin and English texts so right for this advent season below.



Latin text

O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.

English translation

O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!