Rubbish Tuesday in Norway

 

In a remote graveyard outside 

a remote village this headstone 

was tucked away against the graveyard's wall.  

                                                          

"Hereunder rests the remains of NN",  the inscription says. 

                       

Rest in peace. 

You are not

forgotten anymore.

                                   

http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.no/

Why Bob Dylan came to the church

                                                                                                                                                Norway has been a Christian kingdom since 1030, when king Olav, later to be called "The Holy", won a siege at the battle of Stiklestad near the city of Trondheim. The king fell in the battle between the Christ-Men, King's Men and the Farmer Army. 
Through his death he turned hatred and hostility to peace. 
The entire kingdom decided on a Thing, (democratic assembly from back to year 700), the Christianity should replace Odin, Thor and the rest of the old pagan belief. Now wonders kept to occur near the belated king, and a church was built in his memory. The first of many Saint Olav churches. The building started only four years after King Olav's death. King Olav was buried behind the high altar, later placed in a sacred shrine, and pilgrims from all over Europe came to taste the holy water of Saint Olav's spring water. Royal coronations were performed in the church till our days. Our king and queen were officially blessed for their duty in a ceremoniously  in the Nidaros Cathedral.

The Catholic church named the cathedral "Cor Norvegia" , heart of Norway, since the relics of Saint Olav were placed there.
Also after the reformation in 1578 the church held its position of the foremost church in Norway.


To maintain  and even extend and add ornaments on this old stone church, an entire workshop with crafted stonemasons, plasters, sculptures, archaeologists and conservators work all around the year to keep the church from deteriorating.
In the 1960-ies it so happened the sculpture of Archangel Michel lost its head.

                                        Archangel Michael on the spire to the left of the front facade.
The sculptor followed an ancient tradition, to let a living person be a model for the replacement head. 
This happened the early sixties with scaring murders of American presidents, Asian wars, social uprising in the ghettos, the cold war and above all the terror of a nuclear war, threatening to destroy the entire globe.   The sculptor let the face of the spokesman for all our fear and despair be depicted in the face of the mightiest angel of all, Michael.
Such were the times, that it took 50 more years who was the model of archangel Michael.
Now even more pilgrims visit the dome to admire this mighty testimony.

Gunnar was there yesterday, and I said the only thing I really wanted as a souvenir was a postcard of archangel Michael/Bob Dylan.

"When He Returns"

The iron hand it ain't no match for the iron rod
The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears
It is only He who can reduce me to tears
Don't you cry and don't you die and don't you burn
Like a thief in the night, he'll replace wrong with right
When he returns.

Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow that is passes through
He unreleased His power at an unknown hour that no one knew
How long can I listen to the lies of prejudice ?
How long can I stay drunk on fear out in the wilderness ?
Can I cast it aside, all this loyalty and this pride ?
Will I ever learn that there'll be no peace, that the war won't cease
Until He returns ?

Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground, take off your mask
He sees your deeds, He knows your needs even before you ask
How long can you falsily and deny what is real ?
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal ?
Of every earthly plan that be known to man, He is unconcerned
He's got plans of his own to set up His throne
When He return.

ANGELS

 I'm so lucky, I have two churches where I feel at home.   
The picture above is from  The Church of Our Saviour in Haugesund. The picture under is from Sauda Church, which is its official name.

The special thing is that both churches have altar pieces depicting Jesus in Gethsemane.
Both are made by local painters, both are very well describing the loneliness. pain and agony of Christ.
There is one important difference though.
On the Sauda altar piece Christ is not alone. 
An angel was sent to wipe the blood sweat from his forehead. 
Jesus felt alone. He prayed to avoid what he knew was coming. "Not as I will, but as you will," he added.  
The answer was a comforting and strengthening angel.
We too are surrounded by angels.
Psalm 91:^{11 "}For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;"  
Let's rest in that promise.

Norwegian Christmas Carols #7

Det kimer nu til julefest is a Danish song, but used in Norway for over hundred years.

Country of Origin: Denmark

1. The bells of Christmas chime once more;
The heavenly guest is at the door
He comes to earthly dwelling still
With new year gifts of peace, good will
2. This world though wide and far outspread,
Could scarcely find for you a bed
Your cradle was a manger stall
No pearl no silk no kingly hall
3. Now let us go with quiet mind,
The swaddled babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on him who gladdens them
The lovliest flow'r of Jesse's stem
4. Oh join with me, in gladness sing,
To keep our Christmas with our King,
Until our song, from loving souls,
Like rushing mighty water rolls!
5. O patriarchs' Joy, O prophets' Song
O Dayspring bright, awaited long
O son of Man, incarnate Word
Great David's Son, great David's Lord
6. Come, Jesus, glorious heav'nly guest,
And keep your Christmas in our breast
Then David's harpstrings, hushed so long,
Shall swell our jubilee of song.

Norwegian Christmas Hymns and Carols # 4

Norwegians are going south, preferably to live in Spain when getting elderly. Like so many others they need sun and warmth when their limbs are getting stiff. Yet they carry the old traditions with them. The old hymns with 12 verses. Most of them need no help to remember.
A child is born in Bethlehem is an old favorite.



This version is sung to an old Folk Tune

Norwegian Christmas Carols # 2

Sweet Ruby has belonged to our extended family since she was eleven. Now she's soon to become 26, has taken a bachelor degree in England, stayed together with her Ørjan for 6 years and this year became the happy mother of Loke. The family has established themselves in Ruby's birth town where the hymn for first Sunday of Advent is  recorded in the main church.

Det lyser i stille grender [Julekveld]
Det lyser i stille grender av tindrande ljos ikveld, og tusunde barnehender mot himmelen ljosi held. Og glade med song dei helsar sin broder i himmelhall, som kom og vart heimsens frelsar som barn i ein vesal stall. Han låg der med høy til pute, og gret på si ringe seng, men englane song der ute på Betlehems aude eng. Der song dei for fyrste gongen ved natt over Davids by, den evige himmelsongen som alltid er ung og ny. Songen som atter tonar med jubel kvar julenatt. um barnet, Guds son og sonar som myrkret for evigt batt. Jakob Sande- You might translat the text from New Norwgian to English yourself. It's certainly worth the while.

Kreml the Norwegian way

One late summer evening last week there finally came some hints of blue on the sky.
We immediately saddled up for a local photo safari, armed with coffee, chocolate buns and cameras.
I'd never had a close look on this particular church before.
It's built in 1938; thorough Art Deco style.
From this special angel I found it had a Kreml-ish wild mix about it.
I must return for further exploration of the inside. The stained glass windows look interesting. Makes me wonder what the architect has done with the ceiling.
Don't you like finding treasures like this just " around the corner of your home"?

For the Youth

This poem (it's not actually a hymn) and this very scene melted my frozen heart.
I needed that special song to get my ice converted to tears and leave my body.

Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday in Norway, and the first day of the Silent Week.
In most towns the stores are closed, only gas stations and some restaurants are open. The churches have services today, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and First and Second Easter Day.
Do all Norwegians go to church? No, they don't. They use this Silent Week to travel up in the mountains, skiing or they shine up their boats for the summer season.
Ever since I was a girl there have been Easter camps, with skiing and services combined. The churches divide different ski resorts beween them, and take the gospel out where the people are.

This is a part of our bedrock culture, it's who and what we are.
Or it used to be. The times they are a-changing in old Norway too.
The changes in educating systems are slowly turning us into a secularized nation. It hasn't happened over the night. If so, I guess some of us would have stood up and protested.
Little by little, year by year our country is being uprooted with no new fertile soil left.
We are defined as consumers, soldiers, - or "burdens to society" the day we spend less than we receive.

Still the Silent Week exists. The law says no noisy outdoor work is allowed. The machines are parked along the road shoulders or in barns.
Lawn mowers and nail guns rest, we can hear the birds singing all day without lorries scaring them to silence.
Welcome, silence.

Jesus was a Jew. He celebrated Passover with the disciples. The scripture says he died for Jews first and then for Greeks. He wasn't killed by Jews. He was tortured and killed by Romans, Italians.
Neither did Jesus die for the white Europe. He carried the sins of all the world with him on the cross, that we all may have eternal life.



P. S. In wikipedia I see it is called the the holy week . Silent is because they didn't even chime with the church bells.
I like that silence. We have so many words, and so little time for contemplation.

Heddal stavkirke (stave church)

Serina fronting the Heddal stave church in county Telemark
not far away from the home of her grand aunt.


This stave church, all made of tared wood, is the greatest in Norway with it's 64 roofs.


To me the style looks oriental, but one doubts that the vikings went farther east the Istambul, called Myklagard.Once there were about 2000 stave churches in Norway, now only 28 are remaining. I've got to correct myself. We know for sure that king Sigurd went to Jerusalem - Jorsal- in 1107.
King Olav Tryggvason and
Olav Haraldson the Holy , both went in viking East Way to Russia, Novgorod and further down in about year 1000.
They evidently picked up inspiration and influence from their "trips".


Heddal stave church probably dates to the early 1300 hundred, though others mean the name Maria 1242 carved in the wood should be the correct year of the building.


The church was dedicated to St. Mary, but like the rest of the churches in Norway were " Lutherized" in 1537. The so called reformation was mainly to convert power and wealth from the church to the king. The Danish kings robbed the churches of all its belongings, land, silver, art e.t.c.


The church is a natural sepia. It cannot think of any more beautiful sepia than tar. Sadly a group of satanists burnt down about a dozen churches a decade ago, 3 of them in our region.
This church is well protected, a national heritage.
Credits to Gunnar and Serina. All photos may be enlarged by double clicking.

Teach Mary is the host of Sepia Scenes,visit her.

THE ALTARPIECE OF TYSVÆR

Norwegian Protestant churches all have an altar, often with a painted altarpiece, an altar table, candles and a Bible. The most common motifs of the altarpieces are the crucified Christ or The Gethsemane scene.

Not long ago Liv and I attended a funeral in Tysvær Church.
It was one of these harmonious ceremonies; a long life, a peaceful ending, with lots of friends and relativities gathered, praising the dead man's life on earth as well as his entrance into heavenly dwellings.

I was breath taken by the altarpiece. Jesus sitting with the Emmaus wanderers and the text "Abide with us" carved in wood underneath.

Last Sunday, after having done some research, Gunnar and I went back to attend Sunday mass. I brought my camera, and shot from the hip, as the congregation were leaving.
The painter of the altarpiece, Ole Frøvig , was a local artist with a personal message and a brave angel, even though his works are seemingly conservative.
The framework is woodcarving work illustrating the beatitudes.

The minister was a heartwarming and straightforward chap, the psalm song mighty and the church members plain and friendly. I think we'll make that 30 minutes drive to church once more, it truly is a place to revisit .

RUBY ART

Art for art's sake.
I just love art exhibitions.
Especially the weird ones.
Make me want to try create something by myself.
Like robbing my brother's single collection...
The bold use of colors was what caught my attention this time.
That and my love for bizarre hats.
Another result of being raised in a Pentecostal Church in the 50ies.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

THE RING

The angel in the old chandelier, this far unknown to both Gunnar and Liv, even though they were Christened and raised in this Church of Our Savior.

My arthritis has developed in leaps and jumps the last years.
Finally all my fingers are aching and twisted, except for my two ring fingers.

Gunnar, the intelligent observer, suggested that wearing gold might be worth trying, since gold has been used in treatment for rheumatism for years, and has been worn on my ring fingers for the last 45 years.

I searched and found rings for all my fingers, except for my left index finger, which had become thick, crooked and swollen.
When my good friend Liv heard and saw this, she impulsively ran indoors, and returned with a thick gold ring.
She took my hand and slipped it on my index finger, "This is for you."
I was too confused to protest, and even more when I found out it was the ring her late husband and my friend Sigve, had worn till the day he died.
I was advised by Gunnar to consider it as a valuable loan, and wear it with gracefulness and awe, which I have done since that special day in June.

My fingers aren't healed, but they have stopped aching, and I can play my two summer tunes on the guitar again.

December 19th, Serina and I got two last minute tickets to a concert with Norway's Hanne and the Three Opera Tenors.
The Church of Our Savior was packed to the brim. We crept in on the fourth balcony row, and I made some quick point and click pictures before the concert started.
Afterwards I was lost to music.
One of the soloists performed Nessun Dorma with such force and skill, that the applause threatened to blow the roof off the church.

English Translation of "Nessun Dorma"

Nobody shall sleep!...
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
in your cold room,
watch the stars,
that tremble with love and with hope.
But my secret is hidden within me,
my name no one shall know...
No!...No!...
On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!...
(No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

I applauded wildly with all my locked up enthusiasm released.
It wasn't until the next number I felt that something was missing. Liv's ring. I whispered to Serina. She told me to wait searching until the concert was over. I prayed to God, "please, please send an angel and place the ring in my handbag", and went back to the magic of heavenly voices sharing Christmas carols and hymns from their cornucopia.

After sharing the ultimate hymn from the 11th century, "Deilig er Jorden", standing, the assembly split.




A smiling elderly man, my age, helped us searching the balcony for half an hour, but in vain. I prayed silently to God for help as we drove home, but told Serina what I was doing.

"But, mama, did you look in your handbag?" my sweet daughter asked. The zipper of my bag was still 2 inches open. I opened it, and the first I saw, was,-- the ring.
In spite of my lack of belief, my prayers were heard.

RUBY FACES

In Norway we celebrate Christmas Eve. The shops close at 12 p.m.
and everybody hurries home to in their own way, get ready for the celebration. e

Our family always attend the worship service in the local church
as the start of Christmas celebration. We arrived early to get a "good" bench for the family. I snapped some photos before the service began.
Being extremely shortsighted, I do not always get all the details of what's been going on until I see the photos on the computer. Serina has put on her "Are you Russian?" look. My mother is a bit embarrassed, my brother is used to dealing with tougher youths.
Serina is the only grandchild of my mother and also her most precious treasure. There sure is no recipe about what to do when my beloved is acting up.
Look how well my brother is taking care of my bewildered mother, while our colt keeps kicking and jumping.
These pictures are published with Serina's permission.
I have to add she behaved like an angel the rest of our stay in Sauda.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

Sepia Chandelier

The main church in our town is built in Neo-Gothic / Dragon style.
I love sitting there, admiring new details all the time.
The chandelier is eleven meters high and is supposed to symbolize a king's crown. The twelve lanterns are reminders of the twelve apostles.
I had never even seen the angel sitting in its center until I shot this "macro".
For further details, take a look at the previous post.

Teach Mary is the host of Sepia Scenes,visit her.

RUBY CHRISTMAS IN HAUGESUND

Haugesund has at least four kinds of weather in a week. Lately we've had, snow, frost, storm and more snow. Here is The Salvation Army "playing the Christmas in" on the town square like they have done the last sixty years.
They are loved and respected by high and low, and use Advent time to collect money to make a proper Christmas for the less fortunate.

The Christmas tree in front of the City Hall was beautifully decorated by children from all the kindergartens of our town. The tree was roped by experienced sailors, and did withstand the storm, but the decorations were somewhat messed up.


Christmastime is also when we mostly miss our dear ones, who have created our best childhood memories. Therefor it's custom to visit the graves with candles and wreaths before Christmas. Three miniature roses on the moss and cone wreath at the grave of Gunnar's parents. He has four graves to decorate every December 17th. The one of his parents, his sister Bjorg, his grandfather and cousin Ragnar. It's a privilege to honor and visit Gunnar's loved ones.

As years go by, we try to cut down on "unnecessary" gifts.
We haven't yet reached the point of money only". Gunnar has hidden in my study to wrap in some secrets.

Our house guest, Silk Kitty. seems to have adopted us. The strong affection and admiration is mutual.

Serina came home through storm and ice and immediately took up her duties. Decorating the tree and wrapping parcels.

The Kitty and Serina fell deeply in love at first sight.

Cuddling and sweet talking for hours.

Fourth Sunday of Advent we went to the annual Christmas Concert in the mighty Church of Our Savior. Luckily some of the audience wore red robes.
Photo by Serina. The church was packed for two concerts this evening, and
inner peace and spiritual needs were richly filled.

Tears of joy could not and should not be held back.

What's moving me even more, is riding past The Thousand Homes".
A large public housing complex built in the 1920-ies. Now a refugee for alcoholics, drug addicts and criminals. Every year I am moved to tears, seeing a few Advent sticks in the windows there too. Waiting and hoping is what's keeping us all going on.

At home our Kitty lies in perfect harmony.
A blessed Christmas and New Year to all bloggers in my world.



The Nordic tenors were among the performers yesterday.
They sung this song among many others.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

Psalm Poll Results

These have been taking part in the poll:
Kel, Gunnar, Serina, Amrita, Terry, Crown of Beauty, bottel, John Cowart, Pete from Chelmsford, Constance, Dad Golden, Carol Joy, Sonia, me; Felisol

Abide With Me A lot of Indian music

All heaven declares

All my Tears & Be Still My Soul by Selah

Alltid freidig når du går

Amazing grace

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

And Can it Be

Andreas Boccelli - The Prayer

Be Still My Soul

Be Thou My Vision

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Blessed Assurance

Blessed be your name

Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand.

By the Rivers of Babylon By the Sea of Crystal Saints in glory stand

Cantata and fugue in D minor J. S. Bach Chopin

Coldplay - Fix You

David's 121 st Psalm.

David's 121 st Psalm.

Deilig er jorden, Wonderful is the Earth.

Dyp av nåde - er hos deg

Dype, stille, sterke, milde

Eg veit i himmelrik ei borg

Eg veit i himmerik ei borg

En rose er utsprungen

En rose er utsprunget

Et barn er født i Betlehem

Every Grain Of Sand Bob Dylan

Fager kveldssol smiler

Fagert er landet du oss gav

Father God I wonder

First We Take Manhattan

From Heaven you came

Give me Jesus by Fernando Ortega

Gjør døren høi, gjør porten vid

Glade jul, hellige jul

Go Down Moses with Louis Armstrong

Gregorian mass song

Gud sign vår konge god

Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland

Halleluja Händel

Han er min sang og min glede

HANDEL - Hallelujah Chorus

He the pearly gate will open.Words Fredrick A. Blom

Hellig, Hellig, Hellig

Her kommer dine arme små

Herre Gud ditt dyre Navn og Ære, ("Good Lord, thy precious name and glory"

Herre Gud, ditt dyre navn og ære

Himmelske Fader, herleg utan like Hjem, hjem (Home, home) How firm a foundation ye Saints of the Lord

I den stille klare morgen

I denne søte juletid

I need Thee every Hour

Ingen er så trygg for fare

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Ja vi elsker dette landet

Jeg er så glad hver julekveld

Jeg er så glad hver julekveld Jeg er så glad hver julekveld Jeg har en venn

Jeg synger julekvad

Jesus lever, graven brast

Jesus take me as I am

Jesus, din søte forening

Kimer, I klokker

Kirken den er et gammelt hus

Kjærlighet fra Gud

Kling no, klokka

Kyrie Eleison! Gud Fader miskunne deg…

Landet där solen ej går ner

Led like a lamb

Leid, milde ljos

Leid, milde ljos (Lead, Kindly Light)

Let My People Go

Litlefuglen

Lover Herren! Han er nær

Majesty (worship his Majesty)

Matt Redman - Blessed be the Name

Med Jesus vil eg fara

Mercedes Benz My tribute

Missa Creola

Morning Has Broken

Naglet til et kors på jorden

No livnar det i lundar

Nobody Knows

Nærmere Deg, min Gud(nearer my God to thee)

O bli hos mig! Nu er det aftentid(Abide with me)

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins Singers Oh holy night Oh, night devine

Old rugged cross

Old rugged cross

Old rugged cross.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Once To Every Man And Nation

One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus

Only A Sinner Saved By Grace

Ovan där/ Bye and Bye

Overmåde fullt av nåde Pie Jesu

Psalm 121

Psalm 16

Psalm 18

Psalm 91

Psalms:

Påskemorgen slukker sorgen Revelation Song

Shine Jesus, Shine

Silent Night

Slavekoret Nabucco

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. U2

Swing Low Sweet Chariot

Så ta da mine hender

The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco

The Hallelujah Choir by G.F. Handel

The Love of God

The Old Rugged Cross

The Passion" - Adrian Snell (the whole album)

There is a fountain filled with blood Throught it all

Tryggare kan ingen vara

Turn! Turn! Turn! The Byrds

Ungdommens frelser

Velt alle dine veie

Vår Gud han er så fast en borg

When I survey

Å hur saligt å få vandra

Å leva, det er å elska

Å salige stund uten like

One hymn got 4 votes;
Old rugged cross.

Three for;
Abide with me,
Amazing grace,
Davids psalm 121,
Handel, Hallelujah Chorus.
Psalm 137 (choir of the Hebrew slaves/By the rivers of Babylon)
Jeg er så glad hver julekveld.

I've chosen psalm 121 to represent the ones with three votes.
It's such a special psalm in our family.
My Dad loved it, and of course knew it by heart.
When Serina was 4 years, she suddenly asked out of the blue at bed time;
"Mother how far away is God?"
For a moment I was bewildered; then a sentence from Psalm 121 came to help. "5 The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand."
The smile upon my girl's face as she let her right hand making shades upon the wall. "Is it true? Is he really here?" I found my old Bible and read the hole psalm for her, to confirm what I just had told her. And I know He was there then and he is here now. AMEN

I humbly thank all the participants, and if I have counted wrong, please let me know.

THE PSALMS, HYMNS AND SONG POLL 3

The psalm and hymns poll is still going on.
Terry sent a vote from her Dad Golden.
He's partly mine as well; my prayer child.
His song is also one of mine, The Old Rugged Cross.