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Show paniment, Mohr and Gruber sang King is Silent Night, Holy Night for the from Heavns first time in the village church on just as meaningful as it was over a hundred years ago. Christmas Day, 1818. M have carols origiMany Christmas nated 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 Longfellow had received bad news after Thanksgiving Day, 1863; his son had been severely wounded in a battle of the Civil War. As the family anxiously awaited news of the young man, the poet expressed his grief in a poem, I heard the bells on Christmas 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 clerSallys brother Timmy was writing was the Such the with case to Santa, when she asked him, letter a gymen. lovely song, It Came Upon a MidTimmy, would you write Santa a letand mother were gazing happily at the night Clear. A minister, Edmund ter for me, too? Sally didnt know infant in its crib, reminding the prihow to write, you see. Sears, is credited with writing the est of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on that words to the carol, after gazing at the All right, said Timmy. What do first Christmas Eve. After imparting landscape surrounding you want Santa to bring you? Sally his blessing to the young family, his home in New England. thought and thought. I dont know Father Mohr walked back to his what to ask for, she told her brother. As Sears looked upon the snow fallhome, savoring the stillness of the Thats easy, said Timmy. Why ing on that peaceful landscape, snowy scene. dont you ask for a fire engine? No, At home, he set about to write a thoughts of impending struggle must I dont think I want a fire engine, Salpoem describing his impressions. The have been on his mind, as he wrote ly said. Then how about a transformof the earths Babel sounds in his next morning, he hurried to the home er? said Timmy. No, I dont want of the church organist, Franz Gruber, poem. The poem was set to music by a transformer. who promised to write music for the a friend, Richard S. Willis. In these Timmy was getting annoyed with poem. With only a guitar for accom- - equally troubled times, its message of his little sister. Youd better decide what you want to ask Santa first. I have to write my own letter now! Sally looked at all her toys. She had two dolls, a toy stove and sink, a dollOur FioQday prayers wish house, crayons and a coloring book, and lots and lots of stuffed animals. on earth; peace you good She thought about it every day unwiCC to oft men. til it was Christmas Eve, and she still had not thought of something she didnt already have. For the first time she could remem27 South Main, Nephi ber, Sally was not excited as she and Maurice and Timmy hung their stockings over the chimney. Gwen Chapman On Christmas morning, Timmy was the first one out of bed. He dashed into the living room and soon he came running into Sallys room to wake her up. Sally! he said, Come see what Santa brought you! Sally jumped out of bed and ran to the living room. There, under the tree, was a big box marked To Sally from Santa. Sally ran to the box and looked in. Inside was an adorable puppy! Sally scooped the puppy up and hugged it. The puppy licked Sallys face and wagged its tail happily. Just then, Sallys parents came into the living room. Look what Santa brought me, Sally said, showing them the puppy. Sallys mother smiled. I guess Santa knew there was something you didnt already have. Yes, and its the best present ever! said Sally, hugging her new puppy. Despite the heavy snowfall, Father Christmas carols add to holiday season fs cheer What would Christmas be without carols? These traditional songs express the joy, awe and merriment of the season so well for us all. As a matter of fact, the custom of singing Christmas carols dates back to 129 AD. Some carols are so old no one is sure just when they were written. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen has been a favorite from the days of Old England, but neither the words nor the who enjoyed writing poetry. The Psalm music can be traced to a source. O words of the Ninety-eight- h Ento Ye the Faithful is were All another inspiring especially Come, carol that is too old for scholars to be glish clergyman: "Make a joyful noise certain of authorship. It is believed unto the Lord, all the earth; make a that the carol was originally written loud noise, and rejoice, and sing in Latin. praise. Watts decided to write a hymn of reOther carols are of more recent oriThe result was ,Joy to the we know more so about and how joicing. gin World, which was published in 1719, they came to be written. Issac Watts was a Calvinist preacher It was originally sung to music by Edward Hodges, but eventually, the words were set to music by Handel and that is how we know this beautiful hymn today. One of the most beloved carols of all was inspired by the birth of an infant on Christmas Eve, in a small Alpine village in Northern Austria. Father Joseph Mohr had been fretting over the feet that the church organ was in need of repairs, and due to a heavy snowfall, no one could come to repair the instrument in time for Christmas services. The priests thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door; it was a woman of the village, who told him that the woodcutters wife had just given birth to a son. The woodcutter was most anxious that the priest come and bless the mother and child that night. The 4 Times-New- s Nephi, Utah December 23,1987 Mohr hiked several miles to the woodcutters cabin and was rewarded with an unforgettable sight. The new father The best Christmas gift of all! snow-cover- JOifEIJX WOEL Chapman Furniture Co. Like these Christmas poinsettias, may your holidays be bountiful, bright arid beautiful;'2 Pexton Wholesale Co. Inc. Nephi, Utah I - 'Wishing: you serenity and happiness each day of the coming year. We enjoyed serving you. Glenn's Garage Glenn and Peggy Greenhalgh GLAD TIDINGS sms rasRC Sending warmest thoughts for the brightest of happy holidays to one and all! May peace be with you this joyous holiday season as we celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace. The best of the season to everyone Central Valley Medical Center i f Nephi Medical Clinic Doctors, Staff and Employees X will see the dawn of peace when we learn the meaning of love. We Bank Valley Utah Nephi, Staff an Management NAPA Auto Parts Kuss Cadd, owner |