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http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-Christmas-quiz-week-Advent-know/story-28254642-detail/story.html

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. But what does it mean?

Without giving too much away, Advent is a term from the Latin word 'adventus' and is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas, the coming of Jesus to earth when he was born as a baby at Bethlehem about two thousand years ago.

But how much do you know about this period other than pieces of chocolate behind the doors of your Advent calendar?

Try our quiz below to see:

Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-Christmas-quiz-week-Advent-know/story-28254642-detail/story.html#ixzz3sumK0YoZ

This carol marks Christmas for tens of millions of people in France.
It is always sung in a simple way at the midnight mass with a children's choir. This year will be especially poignant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKr-29cOf64

Il est né, le divin Enfant

Chorus:
Il est né le divin enfant,
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes !
Il est né le divin enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement !

Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les prophètes
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps.

Chorus

Ah ! Qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant !
Ah ! que ses grâces sont parfaites !
Ah ! Qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant !
Qu'il est doux ce divin enfant !


He is born, the Heav'nly Child,
Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding
He is born, the Heav'nly Child.
Let all sing His nativity.

'Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming,
'Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour. Chorus

Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is His graces,
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair.
Child divine, so gentle there.

The French don't muck about waiting for Christmas lunch and their prezzies. They have a serious dinner Christmas Eve with all the extended family and open their prezzies then. Yes, all the kids stay up late too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rl895

Like a candle flame
Flickering small in our darkness
Uncreated light
Shines through infant eyes

God is with us, alleluia
God is with us, alleluia
Come to save us, alleluia
Come to save us
Alleluia!

Stars and angels sing
Yet the earth sleeps in shadows
Can this tiny spark
Set a world on fire?

Yet his light shall shine
From our lives, Spirit blazing
As we touch the flame
Of his holy fire

http://www.carols.org.uk/ba32-o-holy-night.htm

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5n6X9sUznI
O Holy Night : Kings College, Cambridge

Dear Joyous

Hello

This one is for you:


"When the Christmas candles are burned out,
the carols have gone,
the star is set,
all the radiant song filled night has passed.

Thou Alone, the Eternal, remains and Thou art enough.

Remain with us,
more beautiful,
more beloved and
more real, than any of the romance that clusters around thy birthday."


Take gentle care
With best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Dear Elizabeth,
<3


When the song of the angels is silent and still, when the star in the sky departs
And the shepherds their flocks to the fold have returned, then the real work of Christmas starts.

With the hungry to feed and the broken to heal, the lost and forgotten to find
And the fighting to still and the nations rebuild, and to reconcile all mankind.

When the song of the angels has faded away and long gone are princes and kings
When the gifts are set down and the carols all sung, then the real work of Christmas begins.

The imprisoned to free, the hostage release, and to reconcile people apart
To bring peace among folk and peace to the world, to make music within the heart.

It's Christmas!
So Merry Christmas Everybody


Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall
It's the time that every Santa has a ball
Does he ride a red nosed reindeer
Does a ton-up on his sleigh
Do the fairies keep him sober for a day.

So here it is Merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now,
It's only just begun.

Are you waiting for the family to arrive
Are you sure you got the room to spare inside
Does your granny always tell ya
That the old songs are the best
Then she's up and rock and rollin' with the rest.

So here it is Merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun.

What will your daddy do when he sees
Your mama kissin' Santa Claus
Ah ah

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall
Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall
Do you ride on down the hillside
In a buggy you have made
When you land upon your head
Then you been slayed.

So here it is Merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun.

http://www.thesacredpage.com/2016/11/first-sunday-of-advent-2017.html There is a very ancient tradition in the Church of reading the Book of Isaiah during Advent.

Isaiah 2:1-5:

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!

How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable room
Lit by a star?

Can we see the little Child?
Is He within?
If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?

May we stroke the creatures there
Ox, ass, or sheep?
May we peep like them and see
Jesus asleep?

If we touch His tiny hand
Will He awake?
Will He know we've come so far
Just for His sake?

Great kings have precious gifts
And we have naught
Little smiles and little tears
Are all we brought.

For all weary children
Mary must weep
Here, on His bed of straw
Sleep, children, sleep.

God in His mother's arms
Babes in the byre
Sleep, as they sleep who find
Their heart's desire.


"How Far Is It To Bethlehem?" is a traditional English Christmas carol. The lyrics were written by Frances Chesterton and the music is based on a 16th-18th century tune called "Stowey". This song is also known as, "The Children's Song Of The Nativity".

http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is the Christmas Eve service held in King's College Chapel. The Festival was introduced in 1918 to bring a more imaginative approach to worship. It was first broadcast in 1928 and is now broadcast to millions of people around the world.

The service includes carols and readings from the Bible. The opening carol is always 'Once in Royal David's City', and there is always a new, specially commissioned carol. It is distinct from Carols from King's, which is a carol service pre-recorded for BBC television, also broadcast on Christmas Eve.

Dear Joyous

Hello

Have a peaceful and contented Christmas.


Take very gentle care
With very best wishes to you and your family
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Thank you, Elizabeth. Happy Xmas and new year.


Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2dNKv48WJQ

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/18/what-is-the-epiphany-and-when-in-2017-is-it-here-are-10-facts-ab/

Here are 10 facts about the history and meaning of Three Kings Day. Pope Francis will celebrate the feast day with a Holy Mass in St Peter's Basilica.

What is the Epiphany?

Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, falls on January 6 and marks the official end to the festive season for many Christians.

Today, Pope Francis held the Vatican's annual Holy Mass for the Epiphany in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The ancient Christian feast day is significant as a celebration of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, as well as a more general celebration of his birth. The six Sundays which follow Epiphany are known as the time of manifestation.

The Twelfth Night (Epiphany) also marks a visit to the baby Jesus by The Magi, (the three Kings, or Wise Men). The word 'Epiphany' comes from Greek and means 'manifestation'. It celebrates 'the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ'.

In the West, Christians began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century, associating it with the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three kings found baby Jesus by following a star across the desert to Bethlehem.

The three kings - named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - followed the star of Bethlehem to meet the baby Jesus. According to Matthew 2:11, they offered symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The gifts were symbolic of the importance of Jesus' birth, the gold representing his royal standing; frankincense his divine birth; and myrrh his mortality.

During the medieval period, Christmas was celebrated for the 12 days from Christmas Eve on December 24, until the Epiphany. Even up until the 19th century, January 6 was as big a celebration as Christmas Day.

When is the Epiphany celebrated?

For many Protestant churches, the season of Epiphany extends from January 6 until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. The last Sunday of the Epiphany is celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday.

Others, including the Catholic church, observe Epiphany as a single day. Some Catholic dioceses in the US mark the Epiphany feast on the Sunday after January 6.

Orthodox Christians, however, celebrate the holiday on January 19 each year.

Across the world, the day's festivities vary. In the Spanish speaking world Epiphany is known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day). In Mexico, for instance, crowds gather to taste the Rosca de Reyes - Kings' bread. In other countries, a Jesus figurine is hidden in the bread.

Ten facts about the Feast of the Epiphany

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 honour 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 worshippers 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 1970s 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.

A little nudge :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJgJVF7pSBQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URfVSTh0gXI

For as long as I can remember this French carol has been my favorite.
"He is born, the divine child"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4cyWxevyAY

Two carols popular in England often sung in France too are "Silent Night" and "Hark the Herald". There is no such thing as a Festival of lessons and carols mores the pity.

In France the big important get together and meal is on Christmas Day. At the end of Christmas mass the congregation and choir will sing (usually just the first verse) of) this carol before going home to open prezzies and the Christmas feast. Nothing much happens on Christmas day itself.

The French is very basic. Anybody who has a CSE will manage it ok. It is a carol for children not meant to be difficult.

Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!

1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus

2. Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus

3. Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus

4. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhcZ6b2FSsk

so cool.

"Silent night" is my favourite, but so many versions are spoiled ( for me) by 'warbling women ' lol however this one is very clear and I wish beyond wishing I could ever have hit notes like this :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK3_Kr2nLtA

Or for the original, I like this too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqUw4PgvytU

It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time
But say a prayer, pray for the other ones
Oh at Christmas time, it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight, thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Here's to you, raise a glass for everyone
Here's to them underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time
And feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time
And feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time
And feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time

A Spaceman Came Travelling"

A spaceman came travelling on his ship from afar,
'Twas light years of time since his mission did start,
And over a village he halted his craft,
And it hung in the sky like a star, just like a star...

He followed a light and came down to a shed,
Where a mother and child were lying there on a bed,
A bright light of silver shone round his head,
And he had the face of an angel, and they were afraid...

Then the stranger spoke, he said "Do not fear,
I come from a planet a long way from here,
And I bring a message for mankind to hear,"
And suddenly the sweetest music filled the air...

And it went La La...
Peace and goodwill to all men, and love for the child...

This lovely music went trembling through the ground,
And many were wakened on hearing that sound,
And travellers on the road, the village they found,
By the light of that ship in the sky, which shone all round...

And just before dawn at the paling of the sky,
The stranger returned and said "Now I must fly,
When two thousand years of your time has gone by,
This song will begin once again, to a baby's cry..."

And it went La La ... This song will begin once again
To a baby's cry...
And it goes La La... Peace and goodwill to all men, and
Love for the child...
Oh the whole world is waiting, waiting to hear the song again,
There are thousands standing on the edge of the world,
And a star is moving somewhere, the time is nearly here,
This song will begin once again, to a baby's cry...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09h0bkb
On the First Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Roy Jenkins reflects on finding Hope in the Wilderness. The live service from Albany Road Baptist Church, Cardiff, led by the Rev. Susan Stevenson, includes the hymns Hark the Glad Sound (Bristol); O Come, O Come Immanuel; All My Hope on God is Founded (Michael) and The Truth Sent from Above (R. Vaughan Williams). The Cardiff Ardwyn Singers, under the musical direction of David Michael Leggett, are accompanied by David Geoffrey Thomas. Producer: Karen Walker.