Wednesday, December 15, 2010

009 - Nativity Scenes



The first nativity scene was created at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in 10th century Rome. The custom was soon popular at other churches, each one constructing ornate mangers with gold, silver, jewels and precious stones. Though popular among high society, such opulence was far removed from the original circumstances of Christ's birth, as well as being inaccessible to the poorer masses.






We owe the crèche to St. Francis of Assisi, who revised the gaudier displays of his time. In 1224, St. Francis of Assisi sought to remedy these problems by creating the first manger scene that was true to the Biblical account of Christ's birth. Called a crèche, the scene that St. Francis set up for the village of Greccio was made up of hay, carved figures and live animals, capturing for the uneducated people of the town more of the spirit and the story of Christ's birth than any splendid art treasure.



The popularity of St. Francis's crèche spread throughout the world. In Italy it is called a presepio; in Germany, a Krippe. It is a naciemiento in Spain and Latin America, a jeslicky in the Czech Republic, a pesebre in Brazil, and a portal in Costa Rica.
























































































































Sunday, December 12, 2010

012 - 12 Days of Christmas (Lyrics)


The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Although first published in England in 1780, textual evidence may indicate the song is French in origin. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 68.



On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me..

A partridge in a pear tree

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

Two turtle doves


On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Three French hens

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Four calling birds

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Five gold rings

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Six geese a-laying

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Seven swans a-swimming

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eight maids a-milking

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Nine drummers drumming

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Ten pipers piping

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eleven ladies dancing

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Twelve lords a-leaping

Sunday, November 14, 2010

041 - Boney M Christmas Album



Christmas Album is the sixth studio album by Boney M.. It was recorded in the summer of 1981 and released on 23 November 1981.The album, which in certain territories was given the alternate title Christmas with Boney M., was issued just three weeks after the moderately successful Boonoonoonoos and had originally been planned as Liz Mitchell's first solo album. After the lukewarm reception of Boonoonoonoos, plans were, however, changed, and it was instead released under the name Boney M. to strengthen the band's declining commercial position.The album includes the million-selling 1978 Christmas number one "Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord" and it yielded two further single releases, "Little Drummer Boy" which turned out to be a Top 20 hit in Germany. A second single was released for Christmas 1982, "Zion's Daughter" (with new member Reggie Tsiboe pictured on the cover), but failed to chart. "Feliz Navidad" was chosen as a single in Scandinavia, and Spain opted for "Jingle Bells". Ariola (Spain) furthermore issued "White Christmas" in 1983. "Christmas Album" achieved Platinum sales in 1983.Christmas Album which was given the title Mary's Boy Child - The Christmas Album in the UK was to be the final Boney M. album release on the Atlantic Records label.One of the biggest commercial hits of the year 1981 was the Dutch "Stars On 45" Beatles cover medley, a number one single in the US and number two in the UK. To promote the albums Boonoonoonoos and Christmas Album Frank Farian created a thirteen minute medley in the style of Stars On 45 called "6 Years of Boney M. Hits (Boney M. on 45)" which was issued as both A- and B-side singles in certain territories - in the UK it was the B-side of Boonoonoonoos 12" single "We Kill The World (Don't Kill The World)", in Germany the edited 7" version was the B-side of Christmas Album single "Little Drummer Boy", and in January 1982 it was repackaged and released as the A-side.Later in the eighties, the tracks of Christmas Album, with the notable exception of the instrumental "Winter Fairy-Tale" and the closing song "I'll Be Home For Christmas", were to be remixed and re-issued as Die 20 schönsten Weihnachtslieder der Welt, The 20 Greatest Christmas Songs, The Most Beautiful Christmas Songs of the World, Happy Christmas, A Wonderful Christmas Time and Christmas Party.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

042 - Jackson 5 Christmas Album


The Jackson 5 Christmas Album was the only holiday album released by Motown family quintet The Jackson 5. Released in October, 1970, the album showcased the brothers' harmonies and vocals. Lead singer Michael Jackson is prominetely featured on the album tracks. Included on the Christmas Album is the Jackson 5's hit single version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Rendered with a pop-soul feel, the Jackson 5 version of "Santa Claus" remains a frequent radio request during the holiday season.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

047 - A Reason


A reason Santa has to be a man: No woman is going to wear the same outfit, year after year