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On Christmas 2019

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To me, the December holiday rush is about the season of goodness. Some see it through a festival of light, others through a Nativity scene, others through the secular side of a Christmas tree, others through darkness of nature and Yule, and I’m sure other ways exist. Whatever the perspective, this is the season for joy, light, renewal, and hope.

I know that Christmas is a Christian holiday. Although I am a Christian, so my thoughts will cause some skin to crawl, but I also see this holiday time as the season of goodness that goes across humanity regardless of religion. A season of goodwill to all – l season of gratitude and appreciation of others –  a season …. And at the head of the holiday parade is Santa Claus – the Spirit of Goodness.

Santa is for Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, Naturalists, Christians, and anyone and everyone else believing in a positive humanity. Yes, Santa is for everyone!

For me and to many others here, it’s Merry Christmas – but for others its’s Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Happy Solstice (or Yule), or simply have a blessed holiday.  In my final Christmas post in my little corner of the world, and being one believing the majority of the world is good, I wish everyone bountiful goodness during this holiday season with the greeting that suits them.

Below are some of my favorites for the season. For me, the gift of music for you is me. Whether you watch all or some, please let me know your favorites.

Christmas Canon (Trans Siberian Orchestra)

 

Silent Night (Placido Domingo and The Piano Guys)

 

As a ballroom dancer, I must include the light-hearted Christmas Waltz featuring a variety of clips from holiday movies.

 

In the spirit of the Winter Solstice, enjoy A Fire For You (John Boswell).

 

Ever since I saw this performed live, I love it – a Nigerian carol by the Morman Tabernacle Choir.

 

O Holy Night (piano solo with beautiful images of deep space).

 

Silent Night (Mannheim Steamroller – a long-time personal favorite arrangement featuring images of nature)

62 thoughts on “On Christmas 2019”

  2. Both Silent Night’s were great – the first bad the choir and different arrangement that made it so interfering – o holy night might be my fav from the post and the Nigerian carol must have been excellent to see live –
    🎼🎄🎼

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  3. Dear Frank,
    Absolutely nothing wrong with Santa, Frank. He’s universal (no matter what he is called) and yes, he symbolizes all that is good in the world – and you’re right, there is far more good than evil.
    Wonderful selection of music. I listened to each and every one. How fascinating that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (I so love choirs) should choose to sing a Nigerian carol! Almost doesn’t compute but was wonderful to watch and listen.
    The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Canon was lovely with those pure young voices.
    I do love The Piano Guys and Placido Domingo is one of my favourite tenors.
    There is something about Manheim Steamroller that is so soothing.
    Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Right Angle!
    May 2020 bring you happiness, good health, exciting travels and lots of dance and music!
    Lotsa love,
    Dale
    xoxo

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  5. Dear aFrank,
    I wish we could hold the gentle spirit of the holidays in our lives daily. It would help us glide through life with less intensity. A blanket of tranquility to wrap ourselves in.
    Yes, Christmas 🎄 is a Christian holiday but it holds the prospect of hope for everyone when it is here. The tradition of candles glowing brightly to shine a way for the arrival of great memories of moments shared with those we love is a blessing every year.
    How can one not desire to feel that???!!!
    Music is a source of calmness. Your selections are perfect. I’ve always thought Christmas music was a connection to others during the holidays. Rarely do you hear a song and not have a memory. I do love the vignettes in a Christmas Waltz. O Holy Night and Silent Night are majestic. Placida a great tenor. Tran Siberian is enveloping. Loved ❤️ them all.
    I hope your Christmas 🎄 is filled with all the wonderful things that bring you joy. May your days ahead be of good health, good cheer and more love ❤️ than your heart can hold. Thank you for being a part of my blog world.
    Merry Christmas 🎄 to you and Mrs.aFrank 😍
    Happy New Year 2020 🍾🥂
    Feliz Navidad 🎅🏻🤶🏻
    Fondly, Isadora 😎 Cheers 🍷🍷

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  6. Happy holidays to you, Frank and to Ms. Angle. The Mannheim Steamroller’s “Silent Night” was a perfect ending.
    When our daughters were in high school they were in the Madrigal singers and Concert Choirs, and the Christmas concert always opened with the Madrigal Singers coming down the aisle singing the Wassail Song. So cheers to you and to goodness seen in Santa, or wherever we all may find it!

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    • Merril,
      Glad you enjoy Mannheim’s Silent Night and that you also see it as the perfect ending. It’s so soothing! Thanks for sharing the Christmas concert moment. I know that your roots are Jewish, but I admire the way you also embrace this holiday for the goodness. Cheers to you and your family.

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  8. The “O Holy Night – Piano and the Visible Universe” simply blew me away! The beginning of the video looks like it’s going to be all about Jackson Pollock’s drip painting abstracts. But then the space photos take over – and WOW! Thank you Frank and thank you Hubble Space Telescope. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and to the Universe!!!

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  13. Cincy,

    You can NEVER go wrong with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

    The Christmas Waltz video is so cool! I love the vignettes of all those classic movie scenes. And it looks as if I wasn’t the only one on a Silent Night search last night! Love it.

    And just between you and me? I believe in Santa Claus. 🙂

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  14. Thank you for all the wonderful music, Frank. Silent Night is my favorite. Can’t beat Mannheim Steamroller. Your message of goodwill resonates no matter what we believe. Only the coldest of hearts would not be open to the season. There was one line that caused me to reflect on how you have enriched my life. The line, “In my final Christmas post in my little corner of the world…” I know you have made up your mind, but I want you to know how much you will be missed. Merry Christmas to you and your wife, Frank. Peace be with you.

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    • John,

      Thank you for your kind words. Through the years I’ve always tried to make this post about goodwill – and I truly believe Santa as the Spirit of Goodness – the Ambassador of Goodwill. This holiday is for everyone.

      I first considered stepping away last winter – probably on a beach walk. I thought about it for 3-4 months (at least) before even mentioning it. During the fall river cruise, I started drafting my ending – and then I knew because it felt right. So, I’ve been working up to it by cleaning out the closet. But I must admit, the holiday season has choked me up more than once thinking about the good people here.

      Nonetheless, peace to you and the family! … and a good rub to those two adorable beasts.

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  15. A wonderful way to express the holiday spirit. I didn’t get through all the videos, but enjoyed the ones I did see. I couldn’t figure out who sang that cover of Christmas Waltz, but it reminded me of Suzanne Vega.

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  21. What a beautiful post Frank. I do believe you captured the Christmas spirit “the season of goodness that goes across humanity” – regardless of religion. I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you all the goodness in the world for the new year.

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    • Rachel,
      Thank you for the kind words. Although I’m religious, I see the secular side of Christmas with goodness as a common thread that embraces everyone. There is no question that fewer people embrace religion – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t spiritual – and certainly doesn’t mean they don’t embrace goodness. On the other hand, the number of people embracing this holiday through goodness is off the charts with Santa being the Spirit of Goodness. How can one not embrace that! 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day.

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  22. I love this time of the year… And I can feel the spirit of beauties, goodness and love… Wonderful post dear Frank, I wish everything to be well/nice more than ever for the world. Thank you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Love, nia

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