Last year, we sang our way to the final countdown to Christmas, and this year, we are going to pick up where we left off with many more of the more traditional songs that can be heard sung around the world during the Christmas season. We are going to start with one that I wanted to include last year, but put aside for this year because I had too many great songs to choose from.
In 1818, the marriage of the lyrics of Joseph Mohr and the composition of Franz Xaver Gruber gave us the timeless Christmas song, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, that remains one of the beloved Christmas carols to this day. In fact, the Bing Crosby version of this song is the third best selling single record of all time. Bing has the number one hit with White Christmas and Elton John holds number two with Candle in the Wind for my trivia buff friends.
Father Mohr had written the lyrics to this carol in 1816 before he became a priest in Austria. As Christmas approached in 1818, he asked Mr. Gruber, who was a schoolmaster and organist, if he would be willing to compose a melody along with a guitar accompaniment for the Christmas Eve mass at St. Nicholas parish in Oberndorf. The two men performed the first rendition of Silent Night, Holy Night that evening.
The original manuscript has been lost, but there is one copy in Mohr’s handwriting. The story of the composition between these two men has been retold in a television special, a film and a documentary. The First Silent Night documentary was released in 2014 if you are interested in hearing the whole story.
During World War I, there was an official Christmas truce declared along the Western Front in what was known as No Man’s Land. As the holiday approached, soldiers crossed trenches and exchanged gifts with one another. During this time, the men swapped prisoners, held joint burial ceremonies and offered food to one another. They even engaged in a few games of football.
The one carol they all knew was Silent Night, Holy Night, so they all sung it together. The truce did not last any longer than Christmas, and the commanding officers forbid them from fraternizing in the future.
Thanks to the Internet, here is a copy of the original composition in Mohr’s hand.
There may be no snow on the ground and the Christmas lights may still be in storage, but we can still wish for cooler weather and enjoy these lovely wares to whet our appetite of great things to come over this holiday season.
Without further ado, here are some of the great gift ideas from our friends.
Hand Knit Holiday Tree All Cotton Picture Dishcloth or Washcloth
Recycled Wine Bottle Trivet with Embossed Butterfly
Peace Sign Dream Catcher
Laguna Lace Disc and Sterling Silver Earrings
Multi-Strand Beaded Necklace with Jasper and Lampwork Bead
Peridot Earrings - Tree of Life
Holiday Handmade Fused Glass Red and Green Dangle Earrings
Teabag Favors with Green Trees Design for Wedding
Jungle Jasper Green Aventurine Artisan Necklace Set
Sterling Silver Musical Instrument Charm Bracelet
Glossy Transparent Sage Green Lampwork Glass Beads
Green Plaid Dog Scrunchie Neck Ruffle
Irish Celtic Neck warmer Dark Sage Green
Turquoise Green Owl Earrings
Green Awareness Earrings, Malachite Gemstone
Glass Pearl Bracelet
Tree of Life Handmade Earrings
Green and Ivory Cloth, Potholder, Hot Pad Set
These talented artists are available for special requests or orders, so don’t hesitate to contact them if you have any questions about these pieces.
Here are some more showcases for you to enjoy:
Hurry because handmade sells out fast, and when they are gone, they are gone! Buy now.
Enjoy!
Julie
Thank you Julie and Blu for including Keli and our Green Plaid Scrunchie Neck Ruffle in this week's post! I'm so excited that we are continuing with Christmas carols again this year, and Silent Night is a favorite. :-) Will share everyone's wonderful creations.
ReplyDeleteJust a heads up to those who post to Wanelo - there's a compatibility issue between my SewAmazin Studio on Ecwid, the two platforms just don't work together. Wanelo won't save the correct image and/or link. My Owl Pin Cushion that was shared last weekend leads to an error page from Wanelo. So please don't bother trying to post my Green Plaid Dog Scrunchie on Wanelo. All the other social sharing sites appear to be working properly. Thanks and happy sales to all!
These are all so wonderful! Thanks for sharing all the gift ideas! i pinned all!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection, Julie and Blu. Thank you so much for including my earrings. Shared
ReplyDeleteBring on the carols, I'm ready to sing 'em! Well, maybe not yet. lol Thank you very much for showing my musical instrument sterling silver charm bracelet. Will share...
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! And how sad that the truce only lasted for one day. That reminds me of the Flaming Lips song, "A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn't So)," about how people change at Christmas but his hope that some day people would live up to those ideals year round. Sigh.... Anyhow, thank you for the Countdown and this promotional blog. I appreciate being included!
ReplyDeleteFascinating information about Silent Night, Julie. Had heard the story about the No Man's Land truce - too bad it couldn't have lasted for the rest of the war. Love your selections of handmade greens. Many thanks for including my Tree of Life earrings. Will share far and wide. Treats to the handsome Blu from the goofy Seamus.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Julie, your blog posts are always so great! I love all the items you chose to highlight. Thank you for adding me and doing this :)
ReplyDeleteThis is just wonderful and I knew the story of the soldiers sharing Christmas. Love reading how the songs came to be and what's any prettier than Christmas carols. Thank you Julie for all the hard work you put into this. NOTE: Donna(SewAmazing) is not the first one to tell me there were posting issues with Wanelo. I also heard it from Mary (PrettyGonzo). I started a board but will only post those who don't mind their items there.
ReplyDeleteI also knew the WWI story about the soldiers having a truce. The Americans gave food to the Germans who were starving.
ReplyDeleteYou picked tons of beautiful gift giving ideas.
Thanks for including my gold and peridot Swarovski crystal earrings.
Julie, I did not know about the one-day truce on Christmas in WWI - so sad it did not last longer and it took more war for it all to be over, but it is glad to hear that good human nature won for at least that one day!! Lovely selections - I always like green themes! Thanks for including my Green and Ivory Cloths (or Potholders)!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this extra promo, Julie and beautiful Blu! :) And thanks for including my green awareness earrings. Great info on "Silent Night." There is a very good French movie about the Christmas truce called "Joyeax Noel." I recommend it, especially for holiday viewing. :) Will be sharing the post ... Treats to Mr. BB from Mr. G
ReplyDeleteLove the history lesson - thank you for sharing! And for hosting this event again this year.
ReplyDelete