For Christians this is the celebration of the birth of the man they refer to as the Prince of Peace. In the old pre-Christian European cultures the Winter Solstice was a time when rivalries and warfare were put off in a time of truce. So what better way to commemorate Christmas than to celebrate peace.
First, here's a classic, John McCutcheon's famous "Christmas in the Trenches", a song about the Christmas Truce of 1914, at the start of WWI. You can read about this incident in my Christmas blog post from last year. And below is the video I posted last year, here again for your listening pleasure, including his story of some old German soldiers who came to hear him perform the song at a Danish folk festival.
First, here's a classic, John McCutcheon's famous "Christmas in the Trenches", a song about the Christmas Truce of 1914, at the start of WWI. You can read about this incident in my Christmas blog post from last year. And below is the video I posted last year, here again for your listening pleasure, including his story of some old German soldiers who came to hear him perform the song at a Danish folk festival.
And finally, here's another bit of music: "A Christmas Blessing: Peace", written by composer and choral director Gregg Smith and performed by his Gregg Smith Singers from their CD Christmas Carolling through the Ages. Have a most merry Christmas!
Photo & text © 2008 & 2010 by A. Roy Hilbinger
Year end blessings to you, Roy. Keep warm, bro, and stay cheerful!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed all your photoshop work, but I particularly like this one (also liked the linen postcards a lot). Happy holiday!
ReplyDeletePeace and blessings to you this Christmas and in 2011.
ReplyDelete