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Show Christmas carols add to holiday seasons cheer From page four What would Christinas be without over the feet that the church oigan was carols? These traditional songs exin need of repairs, and due to a heavy press the joy, awe and merriment of snowfall, no one could come to repair the season so well for us all. As a mat- -. the instrument in time for Christmas ter of fact, the custom of singing services. The priests thoughts were Christmas carols dates back to 129 interrupted by a knocking at the door; A.n . , it was a woman of the village, who Some carols are so old no one is told him that the woodcutters wife sun; just when they were written. had just given birth to a son. The God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen has woodcutter was most anxious that the been a favorite from the days of Old priest come and bless the mother and England, but neither die words nor the child that night. music can be traced to a source. O Despite the heavy snowfall, Father Come, All Ye Faithful is another Mohr hiked several miles to the woodcarol that is too old for scholars to be cutters cabin and was rewarded with certaiii of authorship. It is believed an unforgettable sight. The new father that the carol was originally written in Latin. Other carols are of more recent ori-- . gin and so we know more about how they came to be written. Issac Watts was a Calvinist preacher L who enjoyed writing poetry. The words of the . Ninety-eight- h Psalm were especially inspiring to the English cleigyman: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; malm a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing : praise. Watts decided to write a hymn of rejoicing. The result was Joy to the World, which was published in 1719. It was originally sung to music by Edward Hodges, but eventually, the words, were set to music by Handel and mother were gazing happily at the and that is how we know this beautiinfant in its crib, reminding die priful hymn today. est of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on that One of the most beloved carols of first Christmas Eve. After imparting all was inspired by the birth of an inhis to the young family, blessing fant on Christmas Eve, in a small Alwalked back to his Father Mohr pine village in Northern Austria. Father Joseph Mohr had been fretting home, savoring the stillness of the snowy scene. At home, he set about to write a poem describing his impressions. The next morning, he hurried to the home1 of the church organist, Franz Gruber, who promised to write music for the poem. With only a guitar for accompaniment, Mohr and Gruber sang Silent Night, Holy Night for the first time in the village church on Christmas Day, 1818. Many Christmas carols have originated from folk melodies. Deck the Halls, for instance, is a traditional Welsh melody. In Wales, the custom of bringing greenery into the home at Christmas time gave rise to this popular carol. The poet Henry Wadsworth Long-fello- w had received bad news after Thanksgiving Day, 1863; his son had been severely wounded in a batde of the Civil War. As the family anxiously awaited news of the young man, the I poet expressed his grief in a poem, Christmas on bells heard the Day.. The words, which end on a note of hope for peace on earth, were later set to music by J. Baptiste Calkin. Many carols were written by clergymen. Such was the case with the lovely song, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. A minister, Edmund. Sears, is credited with writing the words to the carol, after gazing at the landscape surrounding his home in New England. ' As Sears looked upon the snow felling on that peaceful landscape, thoughts of impending struggle must have been on his mind, as he wrote of the earths Babel sounds in his poem. The poem was set to music by a friend, Richard S. Willis. In these equally troubled times, its message of Peace on earth, good will to men from Heavns King is over a was it as as meaningful just hundred years ago. snow-cover- ed Costtomms tree. The story goes that Luther, walking under the stars one night, was inspired to bring home an uprooted fir tree and place candles on its branches as a reminder of the heavens. The nativity scenes that are so beloved at Christmas time are a tradition given to us by St. Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, Francis was inspired to reenact the na- . glishman, Sir Henry Cole, who commissioned John Horsely to design a tivity for the people of the town of Greccio in Italy. St. Bonaventure described the event in his writings: ... they made ready a manger, and bade hay, together with an ox and an ass, be brought unto the place . . . The man of God, filled with tender love, stood before the manger, bathed in tears, and overflowing joy. It was claimed that the hay used in the crib had remedied sick beasts afterward, and many other wonders were attributed to this first manger scene. The idea quickly caught the fancy of the faithful and before a century had passed, carvings of the nativity scene, or creches, were used throughout Europe during the holiday season. The custom of sending Christmas cards probably originated with an En card in 1843. The card featured a family celebrating the season, with two smaller motifs depicting charitable Clothing the Naked" and acts; Feeding the Hungry. The card was lithographed and sold in 1846, and thus the Christmas card was born. Whether originating in legend or real life, the customs of Christmas enrich the season for us all. PEACE The best gift at Christis the gift of mas time love! Merry Christmasl Paradise Inn & Restaurant 1025.South Main, Nephi Nephi Taco Time 206 North Main May peace, hope and love be with you today, tomorrow and always. The Staff & Management & 'Trust Valley Bank Utah Branch Nephi, Festive days ahead in this special season of love and renewal! , Tb the littlest of His creatures: May peace be with you all! From all the gang Barton Plumbing Greg and Rolayne Ferre 347 North Main, Nephi at May those you love surround you, To share your Christmas Day; May the blessings of the season Come in your life to stay! , Circle C Truck Stop South Freeway Interchange Days Thrifway Market 385 North Main, Nephi Nephi, Utah good HAppY holidays ;.v '. r f S' J Happy M Hope you are surrounded with joy and happiness this Christmas season. Jsj Our best wishes to you and your family. Vi L.: ,1 thank vou for your support throughout the year. Holidays We will see the dawn of peace when we learn the meaning of lore. Harmon Tire 895 North Main, Nephi OrMtincs to you and all A Joyous Christmas and a Happy Hour Thar. Chapman Furniture Co. 'll '' i The Gibsons Vance, Sonya, Jason, Angela, Allison, Kathy, Valerie, Kevin, Brian & Robert 27 South Main, Nephi Gwen and Maurice Chapman i at. |
