DECEMBER TWELFTH

We grown-ups always say that Jesus is the greatest gift of all, and that other gifts does not matter. That's not entirely true. The unexpected gift warms the heart in the cold winter night.
The other day a pink envelope came in the in the post.
A book. The Fatherless written by Salme Orvokki Pinola.
Saija's Mom has written this novel about immigration to America. The fathers who went out to gain money, when times were tough in the homeland.The moms had to take care of the children as best she could.
Much of it also a story about my grandmom, at least so much that I can easily relate to it.
This book was written with Saija's mom's heartblood. It has also been transcribed into a play.
I feel so deeply honored receiving it. Two of my friends worked nightshift together while I was ill. One had a her husband cut these 1m tall figures. Nissegirl and nisse boy.
They then painted one each and gave me for my birthday15 years ago. They are still a must when I decorate for Christmas.
The painting making a strong wintry landscape in the background is a gift from multitalented Kirsten.
I use it for making the right environments for some of my nisse figures.
The red and blue ski-nisse in the front are gifts from Serina.
Der Weihnachts Mann made of wood came from German friend Christa more than 20 years ago.
We met 40 years ago when she worked for a year in Norway and have kept in touch since then.
Every Christmas we are sending each other gifts.
These gifts are creating bonds of contact, that's for sure.
The tiny chandelier to the right with glass prisms
was a rae gift from my Mom's eldest friend. She would have been 101 this January had she lived.
The two ceramic donkeys was secretly placed on the nightstand after a dear friend had stayed with us for a sleep-over. The golden book from which the sheep are eaten (I found Thy words and I ate them) is a gift from my sister in law. A letter press actually.
The red haired angle sitting left is made by Serina in her Barbie period. One of my favorite angles.
For sure- a gift can be a joy for many years..

I found two variatios of this julesang. Didn't know which to choose, so I went for both.

Deilig er den himmel blå
Tekst: Nikolai Grundtvig, Melodi: Breslau

1. Deilig er den himmel blå,
lyst det er å se derpå,
hvor de gylne stjerner blinker,
hvor de smiler, hvor de vinker,
:/: oss fra jorden opp til seg :/:

2. Det var midt i julenatt,
hver en stjerne glimtet matt;
da med ett der ble å skue
en så klar på himlens bue
:/: som en liten stjernesol :/:

3. Når den stjerne lys og blid
lot seg se ved midnatts tid,
var det varslet i Guds rike
at en konge uten like
:/: skulle fødes på vår jord :/:

4. Stjernen ledet vise menn
til den Herre Kristus hen.
Vi har og en ledestjerne,
og når vi den følger gjerne,
:/: kommer vi til Jesus Krist :/:

5. Denne stjerne lys og mild,
som kan aldri lede vill,
er hans guddomsord det klare,
som han lot oss åpenbare
:/: for å lyse for vår fot :/:

BEAUTIFUL ,THE AZURE SKY
Beautiful, the azure sky
Draws our gaze with longing eye,
There the golden stars are blinking,
Stars are smiling, stars are waving:
Earth below and sky above.

In that midnight Christmas sky
Every star appeared on high,
One star yet was burning brighter,
Clearer, stronger, yet more radiant:
Light as from the sun itself!

Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872)
English version by Paul Ayres