It takes center stage during these holidays because the effects of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico have been devastating. Still, I’m sure, the Boricua spirit will be celebrating this very important season in our culture.
The song is unique.
It’s always touched my heart very deeply; very much so during this season.
Brooke Simpson‘s version of “O Holy Night” raised the bar for the other contestants in “The Voice”.
Accompanied by a choir providing musical bedrock to her dexterous, soulful wailing, she gave new strength to the Christmas carol, and her heart-rending deliver .
The Three Kings (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) represented Europe, Arabia and Africa respectively.
They came from afar, searching for Baby Jesus and brought them presents: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil.
Story behind the song
There is so much mystery surrounding the story of the Three Kings. Who were they? Where did they come from? What relation did they have to each other? We only really know what (or Who) they were after.
Their only guides were ancient scripture and a bright star. They would not give up until they found the Savior of the world, no matter the cost.
Our arrangement of this traditional Christmas song “We Three Kings” is a tribute to them, their tenacity, and their Noble Purpose.
The three Kings (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) represented Europe, Arabia and Africa respectively.
Hundreds of years ago, roast lamb was traditionally served at Epiphany in honor of Christ and the three Kings’ visit.
Whoever finds the small statue of a baby Jesus hidden inside their slice of the Rosca de Reyes throws a party on Candlemas in February.
In some European countries, children leave their shoes out the night before to be filled with gifts, while others leave straw for the three Kings’ horses.
According to Greek Orthodox Church’s traditions, a priest will bless the waters by throwing a cross into it as worshipers try to retrieve it.
In Bulgaria too, Eastern Orthodox priests throw a cross in the sea and the men dive in – competing to get to it first.
In Venice a traditional regatta that started as a joke in the late 1970’s has been incorporated in the celebrations of Epiphany Day.
In Prague, there is a traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany Day at the Vltava River.
In New York, El Museo del Barrio has celebrated and promoted the Three Kings’ Day tradition with an annual parade for more than three decades. Thousands take part in the procession featuring camels, colorful puppets and floats.
The day’s activities involve singing holiday carols called aguinaldos.
Postmodern Jukebox, also widely known by the initialism PMJ, is a rotating music collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011.
PMJ is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz. In its first few years of existence, Postmodern Jukebox has amassed over 500 million YouTube views and 2 million subscribers.
Each week, Postmodern Jukebox puts out a new video on YouTube, most of which are filmed casually in Bradlee’s living room.
~Wikipedia~
~~GRAPHIC SOURCE~~
Google Images
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No intention of taking credit.
If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a Christmas song with lyrics by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir.
The lyrics are set to the traditional English ballad “Skewball”.
It was the seventh single release by Lennon outside of his work with the Beatles. The song reached number 4 in the UK, where its release was delayed until November 1972, and has periodically reemerged on the UK Singles Chart, most notably after Lennon’s death in 1980, at which point it peaked at number 2.
Also a protest song against the Vietnam War, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” has since become a Christmas standard, frequently covered by other artists, appearing on compilation albums of seasonal music, and named in polls as a holiday favorite.
~Wikipedia~
Partial Lyrics
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
Yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear ….
~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~
Google Images
I do not own these images.
No intention of taking credit.
If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.
Thank you for your support throughout the entire year.
Happy holidays!
Video created with some amazing 2009 Hallmark’s Christmas Movies and Animations.
Song “Happy Christmas and Happy New Year (War Is Over)” by Celine Dion.
‘Twas the day known as Christmas, and all over Twitter …
… this holiday card had us chuckle and titter.
Advisors and cronies, when Trump wasn’t near …
… all quietly wondered why his wife wasn’t here.
While intern who made this on a mac down the hall …
… was fired because he left Trump’s hand too small.
But honestly folks, and I’m sorry it’s rude …
… if your stocking got coal, blame your vote for this dude.’
~Steve Marmel~
~Fist-Raising Trump Wishes All Merry Christmas~
The Christmas card photo was taken during a recent rally.
Donald Trump tweeted out his wishes for a Merry Christmas on Sunday.
Tweeting, “#MerryChristmas,” the president-elect posted a photo of himself with a raised fist standing in front of a Christmas tree with the words, “Merry Christmas!“
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there … “
The meaning of Christmas … the Night before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads …
~Wikipedia~
“That’s Christmas To Me”
The fireplace is burning bright, shining all on me I see the presents underneath the good old Christmas tree And I wait all night ’til Santa comes to wake me from my dreams Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
I see the children play outside, like angels in the snow While mom and daddy share a kiss under the mistletoe And we’ll cherish all these simple things wherever we may be Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
I’ve got this Christmas song in my heart I’ve got the candles glowing in the dark I’m hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
I listen for the thud of reindeer walking on the roof As I fall asleep to lullabies, the morning’s coming soon The only gift I’ll ever need is the joy of family Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
I’ve got this Christmas song in my heart (song in my heart) I’ve got the candles glowing in the dark I’m hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
Ooooohhhhoooohhooohhh Ooooohhhhoooohhooohhh
Oh, the joy that fills our hearts and makes us see Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
I’ve got this Christmas song in my heart I’ve got the candles glowing in the dark And then for years to come we’ll always know one thing That’s the love that Christmas can bring Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me
~Wikipedia~
~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~
Google Images
I do not own this image.
No intention of taking credit.
If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.
It Is What It Is 