A Children’s Winter and other seasonal songs.

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Well we are a few days closer to that special time of year, the radio ads are getting more intense and I know that the annual “Boxing Day Sale” is just around the corner!!! One thing I do like about the Christmas season in 2008, it is how accessible information is about Advent, Christmas, Tibb’s Eve, Boxing Day,and Mummering. All we have to do is Google something of interest and you will probably find it. Next week I will be posting another blog about Tibb’s because it has been the most visited post since I started blogging in late 2007, and I love it because it meant so much to my grandfather. I will also write about mummering as it is a huge part of Newfoundland culture and is observed in many countries around the world.

I digress, getting back to the accessibility of information for this time of year, I wanted to touch on some youtube selections that I think you would find useful. Please click on those that interest you and pass them on, especially a youtube clip from Dermot O’Reilly. Children’s Winter

Mummers

The current # one song on my poll on the previous post is the “Mummers Song” , it strikes a chord with everyone attached to out province or wish they were; it is innocent and reminiscent of the past. For those of you who have never heard it, please have a listen as it is still practiced in rural Newfoundland and is a delightful part of the full celebration of our Newfoundland Christmas.(Its not too late to vote, results will be announced next week during the Tibb’s Eve Blog.

Mummers Song

Now I do know I have been profiling local Christmas music but I would be remise if I did not comment on some others I love.

David Phelps will be back in Newfoundland at Holy Heart, produced by my company for a fundraiser for a local church. His voice is indeed one of the greatest in the world and yes, he will be performing back in NL on Mother’s Day Weekend.For updates on his visit visit www.playtimeconcerts.com

Please take a look at David Phelps version of Oh Holy Night:

On a closing note, I would also like to tell you about some wonderful sites that host Christmas music:

• www.181.fm and
• www.live365.com

Seek and enjoy. If you know others please post them to me as you can never have too much Christmas music.

Take care.
Ron

Getting ready for Christmas and my favorite Christmas Author (Press here to comment)

The smells of baking, the sounds on the radio, the new access to sights and stories of the Christmas season via the internet give us a sense of this wonderful time of year. I love the preparations, the anticipation that is associated with everyone getting all excited to celebrate the most holy but yet the most commercialized time of year. I look around rural Newfoundland and Labrador and see the lights, and I read of the programs and events that help promote each community. It is difficult to totally embrace this time of year sometimes because for the hectic lifestyles we all live. Over the years I have been in search of books, TV shows, music and magazines that help me keep Christmas close to me. I do think this blog helps me “center” my energy to celebrate this season. I do have a small story to tell you regarding my search to find and get ready for Christmas.

Christmas Joys - Susan Branch

I visited a book store a few years ago to look for a book filled with ideas of celebrating the season, there were many there of various shapes and sizes offering many ways to become embraced with this observance. I spied a small white book that for some reason I had to pick up, I think I liked the cover and the font it was so cute…(not sure if men can say cute, but I did *L*) after opening the publication called Christmas Joys by Susan Branch, I was captivated by the ideas of food and crafts, but I think the suggestions of how to make the holidays special your children had the greatest impact on me. I have been using the book for years but then lost it, I have to admit I missed it but thank God awhile back I found it again, (It was packed with the Children’s books!), I got reacquainted with it and thought I would try my luck so I googled to see if the author had a website. Well she do, it is just as informative as her books although I do like my hard copy. I e-mailed the site to ask if I could mention her in my blog, I was surprised to receive a reply so quickly, but the best surprise was that Susan herself contacted me. She agreed to let my link to the site and to mention her here. If you have a opportunity to visit the site www.susanbranch.com I think you too will be impressed as much as I was (Thanks Susan!!).

In keeping with the Christmas season I would like to introduce my first official Christmas Poll, please vote for your favorite Christmas Song from a Newfoundlander and Labradorean, pass it on to your friends and watch the results.

I hope all your Christmas preparations are going well and you take the time to really enjoy the real meaning of Christmas.
Ron