A Christmas Wish - Musical Interlude

Happy Christmas!  In the spirit of this season of joy and peace, here are links to some YouTube videos for your enjoyment.

"O Holy Night"

Sung in two languages by Pavarotti and Domingo.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Feed the World)

The original Band Aid version from 1984.

And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time

"Prayer of St. Francis"

A most beautiful rendition filmed in Assisi

Make me a channel of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love

"Happy Christmas" 

John and Yoko's classic

And so happy Christmas (war is over)

For black and for white (if you want it)

For yellow and red ones (war is over)

Let's stop all the fight (now)

"Ode to Joy"

A flash mob performance of the song from the greatest musical work of all time, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

Thy magic power re-unites all that custom has divided 

All men become brothers

Image Credit: 1234christmas.com

Peace and Light

 

For 2000 years, Christians have been celebrating the birth of Jesus. Born in a stable, surrounded by shepherds and farm animals, He was not recognized by many on that first Christmas Day.

Coming near the Winter Solstice, Christmas is also a celebration that the Light is returning to the World, the days are lengthening. It is a time of hope and a time of peace. It is a time for family and friends. It is a time to recognize anew the Christ Child in our fellow man and treat all accordingly.

The world is not yet at peace. A recent tally at the Wars in the World website shows 60 nations plus 368 separate armed groups, militia, or guerrillas involved in conflict of some kind or other. And we are not yet at peace with ourselves. The twenty first century finds us inundated daily with anxiety producing events and with incredibly ignorant comments on those events. 

No we are not there yet. But each of us can commit to a less violent, more supportive world and hope that soon all will do likewise – that the arms dealers and war mongers, the haters and the dividers finally recognize the true meaning of the Christmas message. Each of us can look to our families and friends and communities and understand what is truly important in our lives.

Here's are two great videos of the Christmas song "O Holy Night!":

 

A beautiful video with Pavarotti, Charlotte Church and Celine Dion singing separate verses in the background.

Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo at a 1999 concert in Vienna


Have a Happy, Peace-filled and Hopeful Christmas!

Picture Credit, Silent Night