“Carol of the Bells” Pentatonix

Posted on December 24, 2015 by annetbell

Pentatonix (1)

With love from Anne Bell

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A Roman Surprise. . . . . .

Posted on December 24, 2015 by annetbell

albero-natale-colosseo-by-Valentina_A

Let me take you back to the Roman Christmas my family had. David had taken students to spend the fall semester in Rome and the children and I were to fly over and meet him for Christmas.  The apartment he had that time was spacious and elegant, but rather noisy as it was high over a busy intersection.  Those of you who have visited Rome, know there is an endless shrieking  siren sound , day and night.

David had bought a lovely live tree and put a garden of poinsettias under it. There was lots of candy from the Piazza Navona Christmas market. As we walked around the city getting reacquainted with memorable places from past visits, we noticed next to no decorations, no lights of the trees or over the streets,  no wreaths etc.  Not a one of the many Christmas displays so prevalent in the United States. (This may be different now, as this Christmas I am recounting was in the 80s.)

In my previous post, I told you about  Christmas Eve ,the fish dinner tradition of ancient Christianity, and our foiled attempt to get to midnight mass.

https://talesalongtheway.com/2015/12/22/christmas-eve-at-st-peters-basilica-a-roma/

We first noticed the deadly quiet from the streets below, as we awoke on Christmas morning.  Honestly, Rome is one of the noisiest cities in the world, but not on Christmas morning.  Next we noticed very few people  walking.  We hurriedly got dressed and headed to our Cappuccino Bar for breakfast. Not a single one in our neighborhood was open.  We walked near a church and there were groups of families going in.  Next, we noticed the missing  street vendors who sell flowers from Africa. . . . usually so colorful and fragrant, there were no  paperboys. . . . nothing was open. Everyone must be home with their families for Christmas morning.  I asked  David if had  any food in his apartment. . . some bread , wine, and fruit.  But of course we expected to eat at least dinner out while we were there.  And I had not expected to COOK!   Yikes. . . . Maybe a simple pasta? None of the restaurants were open for dinner, but we didn’t starve!

We were still dumbstruck that in this very secular city that it would completely shut down  for a Christian  holiday. Well  that was the case, Christmas in Rome is a family celebration and remembrance of the birth of the  Christ child  All day we saw families entering the cathedrals  with their children, and go to the presepe (nativity)  display of the long ago Bethlehem miracle.  They are amazing to see and each church has a special touch. . . a waterfall, or maybe  a moving star for the Magi to follow.

These magnificent churches  we had visited on other days, were  nearly empty for daily mass except for the older women in black were now drawing families to see, remember, and discuss the story of the Christ child.  Maybe it was just a tradition, maybe the respect of Romans for families and especially mothers, or maybe even in this secular country a tiny mustard seed of faith and hope  for the story of the Savior of the World  come to earth on a Christmas night, so long ago.

So on this December 23 as I remember a special Roman Christmas, I want to share with you pictures from Google Images of some of the magnificent presepe in the over 360 churches in Rome.

Merry Christmas! 

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13 - Nativity Scene - Les Augstins de Fribourg

 

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images

Buon Natalie a Roma !

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“Joy to the World” ( Unspeakable Joy) Chris Tomlin

Posted on December 23, 2015 by annetbell

Joy to all!

annetbell's avatarTalesAlongTheWay

slide-02This is a joining of the traditional carol, and classic  Chris Tomlin. . . . .

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Radio City Music Hall. . . . .New York City

Posted on December 23, 2015 by annetbell

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This photo was taken by my son, Chris, several years ago,  when he an his family visited New York City for the Christmas festivities.  As you can see, the shot was taken from seats in the auditorium of Radio City Music Hall.   There are seats for 6015  people.  The shows run from the end of November until the end of December. Some days there are four shows, others have five, and there are even six shows on the very busy days. We took our children when they were growing up and  bought tickets in September . All the shows sell out.  This is the home of the rockets the amazing dancers, there is ice skating during the show, secular music, and Santa taking off and flying across the stage.  I will never forget the first time I went when at the end of the show, there was a living nativity complete with camels, sheep , and donkeys as well as the usual kings, shepherds, angels, and Holy Family with a  baby Jesus!  Even today when  there is so much political correctness and  insistence on removing Christ from Christmas, this tradition continues at Radio City. No one demonstrates or condemns  the declaration of “Christ the Reason for the Season.”   As the pageant unfolds, a poem is read called One Solitary Life which I am including at the end.

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No more words are necessary . . . .  . . Have a blessed Christmas. . .  .

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9 Responses to One Solitary Life

  1. AntiTerrorJewAtheist says:
    December 25, 2013 at 4:59 am (Edit)

    Very Nice, It is appropriate to accept the cultural representation of Christ in our society. It is to bad that current political entity’s are offended by the mention of Christ. Though I am an atheist, I believe that Christ lived among men. I believe that he brought a message of peace, tolerance and giving. Thank you for sharing a great cultural representation and celebration of the life of an extraordinary person who lived among his fellow man in peace.

    Reply
    • annetbell says:
      December 26, 2013 at 12:54 am (Edit)

      Oh I wish I knew your name and could thank you personally and properly. I got your comment this morning just before we left for a joyous day with family. writing a long reply on the I Phone is so difficult so I waited until I got home. But a lovely gift to start the day . . . . .you first taking time to read my post knowing it would be religious, your open-mindedness and and acceptance of views not held by you. So many people espouse freedom of speech and religion except for people with whom they disagree. I have great admiration for your tolerance and ability to understand and accept the part you are able to see.
      I don’t think I am expressing myself nearly as well as you did. Thank you for giving me this lovely Christmas gift. . . . your friendship!
      Peace, joy, health, and love to you in the New Year!
      Anne

      Reply
  2. Laurie Buchanan says:
    December 25, 2013 at 2:44 pm (Edit)

    May this holiday season smile gently upon you and yours, and may the New Year bring you light and joy.

    Reply
  3. gpcox says:
    December 26, 2013 at 10:57 am (Edit)

    I was locked out of my e-mail all Tuesday morning and now I’m SOooooooo behind in my holiday wishes for wonderful people. So, may the magic of this season follow you and yours into the New Year!!

    Reply
  4. annetbell says:
    December 24, 2014 at 12:27 pm (Edit)

    Reblogged this on TalesAlongTheWay and commented:

    Reblog from last year. . . . Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  5. Don Ostertag says:
    December 24, 2014 at 9:58 pm (Edit)

    And while the Rockettes are filling the seats at Radio City, there’s two tours filling seats around the country. (Or at last there use to be.) I use to dread three show days at ice shows and other family entertainments; but after working the five shows a day for the Rockettes, and sometimes the Out afterwards, I never again complained about doing three shows.
    Merry Christmas, Ann.

    Reply

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Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica a Roma

Posted on December 22, 2015 by annetbell

Posted on December 24, 2013by

christmas

This is St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, the largest church in the world as well as  the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Church. which has 1.2 billion members across the world.( Interesting, that number is the estimated population of India. . . .) India, always incredible India!)

Christmas Eve is  an important time in the church with the midnight mass ushering in the birthday of the Christ child.  One Christmas, the Bells were all together in Rome.  First we had an amazing Christmas Eve dinner of 24 kinds of fish dishes at a friend’s home.  Fish has been the meat of Fridays for Catholic believers as Friday was the day of the Crucifixion of Christ, and in memory, for  years, it became  a fasting or no meat day.  The twenty four is for the date of Christmas Eve.  There is controversy about whether this is  the date of His birth or chosen as an arbitrary date in  connection with the solstice. But non the less , it is the date chosen and now set by years and years of tradition. At this amazing dinner, that was  a tad uncomfortable for me because I  eat very little if any fish, we were served  various kinds of fish cook in 24 dishes for the date of December 24.   Well, I was so looking forward to  seeing midnight mass. We  had been given tickets from a very devout  friend, yes tickets to the coveted mass.  No money is charged, the tickets are only  for crowd control.  We were running late from the dinner and had to almost run to St Peters.  We actually got in but there were so many people it was impossible to get to the chairs near the alter. All the lights were illuminated and both organs were belting out in  accompaniment for the  huge crowd singing as they  waited for the for the mass to begin.  You might think it strange that I mentioned these details, but I had only remembered the lights on and the gold and marble shimmering  with the organs playing and the congregation singing….all that at once, on one feast day with Pope John Paul II entering the church. It is an amazing interior any time, but totally breathtaking with the lights, organs, and singing.

I was very  disappointed ( and acted rather in an angry, unchristian way) not to experience the mass, but I certainly felt as if I had a taste of the first Christmas with the crowds, and pushing , and excitement. This video is from the Piazza St. Peters showing  the other people unable to be inside. If you want to see the interior and the mass, it is rebroadcast at midnight in the United States, and I expect at that time  in other countries or there are other  videos on YouTube.( Check your TV for exact time.)

Merry Christmas, my dear friends!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY2oUBy8igc

Image from Google Images. . .  .public domain

This Is Christmas Eve in  Roma!

15 Responses to Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica,Rome

  2. TheCrazyBagLady says:
    December 24, 2013 at 6:52 pm (Edit)

    Merry Christmas and happy holidays! May you be surrounded by love, happiness and good blessings x

    Reply
  3. teny says:
    December 24, 2013 at 11:12 pm (Edit)

    Merry Christmas! Hope you have wonderful time 🙂

    Reply
  4. Burnt Toast says:
    December 29, 2013 at 10:05 am (Edit)

    Rome is a beautiful place, I would love to visit it again.

    Reply
  5. bessacarr motorhomes for sale says:
    January 2, 2014 at 3:32 am (Edit)

    This is a topic that is close to my heart… Many thanks!
    Exactly where are your contact details though?

    Reply
  6. annetbell says:
    December 24, 2014 at 12:29 pm (Edit)

    Reblogged this on TalesAlongTheWay and commented:

    We were actually at St. Peter’s Cathedral one Christmas Eve after David was living in Rome for a semester!

    Reply
  7. reocochran says:
    December 24, 2014 at 2:34 pm (Edit)

    Annet, hoping you have a blessed and beautiful Christmas Season, almost here! This was so lovely, I think this is the most extraordinary photograph I have seen of this special event. I embrace this in a big hug, which is up there in my memories of my own three little cherubs who played donkeys and lambs in the Christmas pageants in our church. Happy New Year, too!

    Reply
    • annetbell says:
      December 24, 2014 at 3:09 pm (Edit)

      What a lovely message! No higher compliment for a blogger. . . thank you. With love and best wishes for you and your family for a joyful Christmas and New Year. We travel 24 hours starting Saturday AM to arrive in India on 12/29 in India at 3 AM! So excited ! Stay tuned!!

      Reply
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Music Monday “Christmas Alleluia” by Chris Tomlin

Posted on December 21, 2015 by annetbell

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Two of the Beauties

Posted on December 20, 2015 by annetbell

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Photo by Lea Gonyea, Syracuse NY

Yesterday, we got up early to drive three hours to my son’s in Central New York for a busy, busy Saturday before Christmas. The first stop  was a Middle School  in Auburn for Parker’s fourth grade basketball game. It was one of the elegant older schools constructed from brick, with windows and even a courtyard in the center square complete with a lighted Christmas Tree. The seats for watching the games were in a balcony.  I will never forget how Parker’s face lit up when he entered, looked up to find his dad, and Miss Anne (me!) and Bofa (David) as well. Chris had not told him for fear we might not make it, but how could we miss it.  Parker played well, with super ball control and defense.  We were very proud of him, as always!  He is learning the game and having fun. . . . perfect for this age !

Next was the Christmas Dance Recital for Violet.  She is 5 and in a tap class.  Actually the program was only about 20 minutes with each group dancing one selection to Christmas music  for the   approving audience.  Violet was Mrs. Claus.  I thought of course she was the MRS. CLAUS  because she is soooo special but it turns out there were about 12 Mrs. Clauses. . . . each girl in  group!  Her other grandparents and cousins and aunt were there too and we all presented her with flowers !  David and I didn’t have grandparents who  did things like  this.  We try  go to as many events as possible with all the precious grand. . . . making memories.

Next because things were still busy there, we started back to Troy.  The road was dry the the air clear.  We did stop at Wegmann’s for dinner in Lafayette as  a treat to us. I am thinking about writing a post about this , the best food markets in the WHOLE WORLD. . . no kidding. . . . that is not me. . . it is my husband and he never exaggerates! Any of you been to a Wegmann’s?

So we had an 11 hour day, with 6 hours on the road but it was all worth it for us. How thankful we are they are closer now as well as my daughter’s family  whom we are blessed to see all the time. The next all family event is New Year’s Eve at my daughters for us all with hats, horns, games , and amazing junk food!

Meet MY Mrs. Claus!

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Merry Christmas! 

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David and Goliath. . . . .Ted Talks

Posted on December 19, 2015 by annetbell

David_Bernini_1623

This is the baroque masterpiece of David by Giovanni  Lorenzo  Bernini at the  moment of release of his sling shot  in the Villa Borghese in Roma. The sculpture is chiseled from marble. Notice the detail in the face, legs, arms and the drape! You can experience the second before David takes his famous shot.

 

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Here is the well known Renaissance  David by Michelangelo in Florence.

Read for interesting additional information about this well known story.

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Merry Christmas from Harvard

Posted on December 17, 2015 by annetbell

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This just came over the wire as the semester draws to an end at universities.  This is produced by the Harvard Office of Diversity.  It is being given out at Freshman dining halls for use in explaining the  “safe space” idea circulating on campuses this fall, by students  to their parents. Keep in mind, Harvard is the most elite of the American Universities.

I would love to hear your response, yeah or nay . . . . we can agree or disagree. . . . gently!

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Roman Christmas Market at Piazza Navona

Posted on December 17, 2015 by annetbell

Piazza Navona Christmas Market

Posted on December 23, 2013by

PiazzaNavona1

Piazza Navona Christmas market in Rome  is  on the list of best European Christmas Markets.   It is on the ancient site of the Circus of Domitian and has the shape of a stadium because of the games played  there in ancient times.  As the Christmas season nears, the vendors set up their  toys, ornaments and delicious Italian sweets. One of my favorite items were the Christmas figures for the manger scene.  It is very difficult and terribly expensive to get the hand-carved wooden  figures, but I did see them for sale in the shops near the Vatican. The ones on sale at Navona were plastic but the gifted Italian artists worked their magic with plastic and  the expressions and details  of clothing etc. are wonderful and the price is much more reasonable.

The last time I went with my husband  for a semester in Rome, the  students were frantically finishing their design project  spending lots of hours on “charette”. ( French word meaning working night and day to finish a project. )  This seems to be the model for architecture students in all countries .. . . .  .finishing at the last minute. Well the students didn’t want to be doing this work and missing their  last days in Roma.  The professor went daily to Navona and bought sweets for a treat for them.  He would sit and read in the studio to “encourage work and perseverance!”  A posting and exhibition were planned for the last few days where students from other Roman studies’ programs would visit.  Quality work was and is important to the professor!   One day, Emily called out to David after his candy delivery, “David, are you babysitting?”  Which was exactly what he was doing!

Here are some images of Piazza Nanona at Christmas time!

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Pinocchio was started in Italy and is a popular children’s gift as well as other puppets.

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Puppets are very popular in Italy. I remember traveling around and coming into a small town, going to the piazza in the centro and there would be a puppet show. The most popular are slap-stick stories of Punch and Judy.  Men , women, and children would laugh, wildly,  at the foolishness!

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Stuffed animals galore. . .  . . .

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Here are some of the delicious sweets!

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Decorations and some of the manger figures. . . . .

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Beautiful, delicate tree ornaments. . . . .  .

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Yummy. . . .  .

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Kid heaven. . . . .  . . . . . .

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I loved the columns instead of the stable or cave. We bought some columns to use in our nativity.  Not bad for plastic figures, right?

Christmas in Italy 2010 222

Lots of styles and sizes are available. . . . . . .

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Buon Natale. . . . . . . .

UPDATE  12/15

This magical Christmas square is now only a memory !

About annetbell

I am a retired elementary teacher, well seasoned world traveler,new blogger, grandmother, and a new enthusiastic discoverer of the wonderfully complex country of India. Anne

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30 Responses to Piazza Navona Christmas Market

  1. Rusha Sams says:
    December 23, 2013 at 9:21 pm (Edit)

    Fabulous! I love seeing all those Pinocchio dolls hanging together. The whole market looks brilliantly lighted in your first picture — what a fun way to spend the season!

    Reply
  2. etinkerbell says:
    December 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm (Edit)

    Well, Merry Christmas from Rome:)

    Reply
  3. reocochran says:
    December 23, 2013 at 10:26 pm (Edit)

    This was a lovely post, makes you want to go there! I enjoy when people feature markets around the world! There were many things that would be like going to an art gallery only it would be fun to be able to purchase something there! Merry Christmas and I am so glad we are connected! Robin

    Reply
    • annetbell says:
      December 23, 2013 at 10:44 pm (Edit)

      I would love to go to a German Christmas market. I love the wooden items they make. We were in Paris before Christmas one year after leaving Rome. They French had their own style and take on traditional items. I know what fun it would be to just tour and visit Christmas markets…..don’t think my husband would think much of the idea! Oh to be independently wealthy!

      Reply
  4. hilarycustancegreen says:
    December 23, 2013 at 10:42 pm (Edit)

    Thank you for a very happy reminder of the holiday we had in Rome in December ten years ago. The Piazza Navona was magic.

    Reply
  5. Chess says:
    December 24, 2013 at 3:50 am (Edit)

    I had no idea this market existed! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  6. akvividphotography says:
    December 24, 2013 at 7:02 am (Edit)

    Oh i wish to visit Rome in christmas time. It seems so festive and colorful. I wanna grab some of those tree ornaments. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Andrea says:
    December 24, 2013 at 11:08 am (Edit)

    HAPPY CHRISTmas love ANNE……SINCERELY ANDREA:))

    Reply
  10. przytulanki says:
    December 24, 2013 at 8:43 pm (Edit)

    Ola! Annetbell,
    Thanks for the above, I recently returned from a trip to Rome and didn’t have a chance to buy a painting from the Piazza Navona. I was hoping that perhaps some of the artists who sell their works in that square also sell them online or make them available for purchase online.

    Please advise.
    Catch you again soon!

    Reply
  11. suzjones says:
    December 26, 2013 at 4:55 am (Edit)

    Annette, what an experience. I’m sure I would have bought a lot of those beautiful Christmas decorations and a nativity scene also.
    This is wonderful. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Burnt Toast says:
    December 29, 2013 at 10:08 am (Edit)

    Lovely pics & Happy New Year

    Reply
  13. annetbell says:
    December 23, 2014 at 12:49 pm (Edit)

    Reblogged this on TalesAlongTheWay and commented:

    A Roman Christmas market. . . . . .

    Reply
  14. inavukic says:
    December 24, 2014 at 12:57 pm (Edit)

    Merry Christmas Anne, and have a lovely and wonderful New Year!

    Reply
  15. JohnDupuy says:
    August 20, 2015 at 12:06 pm (Edit)

    Better check for 2015/2016 Christmas season. Piazza Navona no longer has a Christmas fair effective 2014/2015 season.

    Reply

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