Christmas Carols # 17

Today, December 17th is the birthday of Gunnar's father. He was born exactly 100 years ago.
We have this tradition to meet and put wreaths and lights on family graves today.
Lights are an important part of advent celebration this darkest month of the year.
It's also a great way of connecting with and remembering the ones who are in heaven now.



Christmas songs by the Sami people of the Nordic countries.

Christmas Carols # 10

Martin Luther said in one of his famous Table Talks: "I ​​wish with all my heart that everyone will love and praise the divine music and exquisite gift. I get so overwhelmed by the many major features music has, I do not know how I'll be able to speak about it or where to start or end my speech. "
Thus a word artist like Martin Luther actually became speechless when trying to describe the great gift of music.



A special greeting to Debbie's Dad.
O Holy Night is a French Christmas song by A Adams. It was translated into Swedish and a great "hit" by Jussi Bjorling. Later the Americans have taken the song to their heart.
Hardly any Christmas concert without this touching and tuneful song.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

 

Bob Dylan in Bergen

Bob Dylan, 70, rocked 14 000 Bergeners, one sweet girl from Finland and yours truly from here to eterity.


I've never heard him better, rocking and rolling, twisting and turning the best from his 50 year long production.
He connected with the band, like they were one soul.

And he smiled, smiled all the time. He connected with the audience like I never have experienced it before.

My only problem was my old, outdated Nokia.
Photographing was prohibited, but I sweet talked one of the guard crew, saying this old cell phone is good for nothing.


So sad it turned out to be true.
Gunnar, Serina and I have attended Dylan concerts since Serina was 2 years old. We hope to continue this tradition for at least ten, if not twenty more years. wouldn't that be wonderful; Dylan 90 and us 80?

The rest was perfect in spite of 51, 8 Fahrenheit degrees and splashing rain.


Maybe the old heart got soft when he entered the stage after 2 hours (waiting & Susan Vega). anyway he opened with Rainy day Women # 12 & 35, and from there it only got better.
I, I had gold circle place, nothing but a low fence and the stage between me and the Master.



I am praying that Dylan must find his way home again.