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ART

12/21/2023

Flight to Egypt.

From the Workshop of Goosen van der Weyden 1516.
The painting shows Joseph fleeing to Egypt, heeding the advice of an angel in a dream that King Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus whom he feared was a potential threat to his throne.
Van der Weyden was a Flemish renaissance painter.

Did You Know?

12/20/2023

Brenda Lee was just 13 years-old when she sang that classic holiday song"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. (1958)

Brazil has the world's largest floating Christmas tree. It measures a staggering 278 ft 10 ins. and glows with almost three million lights.

Legend has it that the custom of hanging of stockings at Christmas actually came out of a marriage story. According to Smithsonian, a poor man was worried that he would be unable to marry off his three daughters because of lack of wealth. Luckily, Saint Nicholas was wandering through the town where the man lived and heard of his plight. Afraid that the man would refuse his gift, Saint Nicholas slid down the chimney and filled the girl's recently laundered socks which was drying by the fire, with gold coins. The family found the gifts, and the girls became eligible to be wed. 'Twas a Christmas miracle.

Quotations

12/20/2023

1. " I'm not what happened to me. I'm what I choose to become." Carl Jung.
2. " If you change your mindset, you have the ability to change your world." Damien Thomas.
3. " The mind is a powerful force. It can enslave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the height of ecstasy. Learn to use the power wisely." David Cuschieri.
4. " Sometimes you just have to step forward, and move on. No questions, no doubts, no looking back. Just move on." Unknown

SEASONS MAGAZINE 17/23 COPYRIGHT© 2023

12/18/2023

Tommy and his mom sat in the living room watching a Christmas movie. It was December 20. The clock on the wall read 7pm.
The doorbell rang.
"Who could that be at this hour?" mom whispered.
" I donno", sounded a worried Tommy.
"Your dad is not coming home until tomorrow from his business trip abroad", mom reminded. The bell rang again.
"Could Santa surprise us with an early visit?" Tommy asked.
"I don't think so, because he doesn't come so early in the night", his mom told him.
"I'm getting scared mom, just go quietly and peep through the doorbell hole and see who it is mom",Tommy advised. His mom rose from the sofa and peered through the door viewer.
"Uh!" she mumbled.
"What's wrong mom?", Tommy asked.
"Oh well, Im opening the door", she smiled.
"Who is it mom?" Tommy inquired.
"You'll see in a minute", mom said, smiling. She slowly opened the door.
Tommy's eyes lit up.
"Grandpa, grandpa, grandpa, I knew you would be here with us so that we can have a merry, merry, Christmas."
He grabbed his grandpa around his legs and buried his cheeks against his waist, Tommy broke down and started crying.
He looked up to the ceiling as he does in moments of pure joy.
"I knew my grandpa would be well again and my Christmas would be merry, merry, merry."
© Wallace Paul 2023

All About the Music

12/18/2023

Indeed it is! There is no other season where so many songs that were and are still being composed to celebrate an event. At times, we might overhear someone saying, "I don't have that Christmas feeling yet." Play this song for them and see the reaction. It's robust, it's believable, and wonderfully arranged. Listen for yourself and be motivated.
Here are the lyrics.

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer!"
It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap- happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings when
friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And carolling out in the snow
There 'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases, long , long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing when
loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Repeat third and fourth verses

Writers: Edward Pola/ George Wyle
©BARNABY MUSIC CORP 1963
ASCAP, GEMA

Happy Birthday

12/18/2023

Yes, for those people who love to be associated with this special season and their birthdays, here are a few.

Two celebrations on one day? Wow, you've got it all tied down, Annie (Lennox). Sweet dreams are made of these. Have a wonderful day.

"There will be no white flags above your door", because we love you Dido . And we would be celebrating with you on December 25 , your special day.

Ryan (Seacrest) do you promise us and yourself that you would take a rest on December 25? You're asking why. It's your birthday, Ryan. We know you're the busiest man on the planet. But....it's your special day and it's also Christmas day.

Okay Helena (Christensen), you are special. I mean real special, because you get to celebrate two consecutive days of fun, laughter and merriment. Yes, your birthday on the day before Christmas and Christmas day. Have lots of fun.

Christmas Fashion

12/18/2023

In the spirit of the season, we'll look at a few picks in the fashion world.
Red seems to be the dominant color. This supports the costume of Santa and his reindeer, and all the joyous feeling that fills the air at this time.

People Around the World.

12/15/2023

How Christmas Is Celebrated in India

A robust Hindu and growing Muslim society, the celebration of Christmas is much evident here. The celebration for most non-Christians doesn't go beyond colorful trees, Santa Claus, and snow, but in recent years much has changed. The jolly festival is a month-long season of lights of colors, of giving and receiving, of cakes and carols and angels and the beloved Santa.
Local stores are draped in multicolored and twinkling fairy lights, paper streamers and flowers. Churches are decorated using stunning light shows and look spectacular in the nights. Snow is virtually non-existent ( except in hilly regions) but that doesn't stop children from draping cotton wool all over their trees to imitate the snow-covered evergreen. On Christmas Eve, people attend midnight mass and listen to the gospel in church.
From Kerala to Assam, from the northeast to Mumbai, the whole country gets together in festive spirit to celebrate in their way. In the South, similar to Diwali, clay lamps are lighted on the rooftop of houses by Christmas. A banana tree or even a mango tree is often used in place of pine trees for Christmas tree.
In Northwest India, Christians of the Bhil tribe, sing their equivalent of carols night after night. Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities, in India, there is a tradition to depict nativity scenes and decorate houses with big shiny stars.
Some of the images of Christmas celebrations in India.

Garden Corner

12/15/2023

For the Christmas season you might want to focus more on decorative pieces outside your house that help to beautify and usher in that festive mood.
Here are some ideas.

String some lights. You can wrap around trees, toss them in the ground foliage, line your walkway or even drape them around your fence.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to create the perfect winter landscape is to wrap some lights around your trees and bushes. For a little pizzas, add Christmas ornaments around your tree.

Wrap your porch columns. This is a great way to add that holiday cheer without going over the top.

Your front door is one of the first things visitors will see when they come to your home, so make sure it's looking its looking its best for the season. A fresh coat of paint in festive color (red or green) can work wonders, or you can hang a wreath adorned with ribbons and bells.

Lanterns are a great way to add extra lights to your yard. Just fill them with lights and set them around your yard, and you'll have a beautiful display that's sure to impress your guests.

Another way to add holiday cheer to your yard is by draping your fence with lights. This is an excellent option if you don't have evergreen trees or bushes in your yard
Happy decorating!

Credit: Great American Landscapes.

ART

12/14/2023

In keeping with the season we have chosen a piece of artwork that depicts the Nativity. This piece is entitled "The Adoration of the Shepherds." by Giorgione. This work is believed to have been completed sometime around 1505 or 1510.
Giorgione is one of the figures from the Italian Renaissance.