My father lives in a different world than me.
He lives in Mallorca, Spain and the traditions are different in many ways. I always like to hear of the festivities for different occasions, so I sent an email asking him about Christmastide, and whether they decorate Christmas trees. I received this long message which I want to pass on to my readers, complete with links and photos. I am especially amazed by the snowflake lights. At the bottom of the post you can listen to the song my father refers to in this message, sung by a child.
I hope you all have a meaningful Christmas celebration in honor of the Son of God who came to Earth to save us all.
Shalom,
Sister Olive
~♥~
Dear Dottir,
In the last decade or so, yes, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, elves and any commercialization possible has taken over. Even here in this small village, in the little plaza up in town there is a Christmas tree with decorations.
Before this northern invasion, Christmas Eve was celebrated in the church, or quietly in the home, no tree, no gifts just a celebration of the birth and the mother. Here on Mallorca and in Catalunya, they had another very strange custom. A young child sings the Sybila, a song of the Judgment Day. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_the_Sibyl
I have heard it sung many times over the years, because when I directed the church choir we were up in the organ loft, waiting for our turn to sing various Christmas songs from the region. It is a haunting melody, very difficult for a child to sing, so they practice it for weeks before, no accompaniment of any kind, just that pure “white voice” as they call unchanged voices here. Here it is sung in a little church by a woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfirOs1RGIc
In the Cathedral of Palma they make a real production of it, with full choir, organ and a young woman singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aYV_Kqv44g– these may be beautiful, but I prefer the single child in the Deya church, innocently singing about the end of the world. Every year a different child is chosen.
Before also, the decorations were basically “nerulas” or white paper cutouts like snowflakes, hung across the nave of the church and in houses. The streets still are blazoned with lights, as traditionally – I first saw them in Barcelona in 1969 and was amazed. Take a look https://www.google.es/search?q=christmas+lights+in+Barcelona&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nZfRULDuGOyY0QWeuICoBA&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=614
As for myself, you know me – Stephanie and I would sometimes walk and look at the world, especially the stars which are exceptionally bright in winter, just appreciating Creation, perhaps lamenting its ultimate passing…
I will be doing that alone this year for sure, and will send my love to you all. What I see from my balcony is this:
Where Chopin stayed in 1838 for the winter, so I have good company.
At night it is lit up, blocking the stars until late, when they are turned off.
What will you be doing? Have you found a compatible church where you can enjoy the songs of Christmas?
Lots of love,
Poppy
~♥~
Here is the link for the solo sung by a child, my favorite of the versions so far:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nANDw8XOHhU
~♥~
The Song of the Sibyl
On the Day of Judgment
The good go to heaven for their services.An eternal King cometh
Dressed in our mortal flesh
He certainly will come from heaven
To judge the century.Before the judgment is passed
A great sign will show itself
The sun will lose its shine
The earth will tremble with fear.Then comes a mighty thunder
The sign of a great anger
In a hellish confusion
Rays and cries resound.A great fire will fall from the sky
In a stench of sulfur
And the earth will burn furiously
And a great terror afflict people.Then comes the terrible signal
A major earthquake
The rocks will break
And the mountains will collapse.Then nobody will have gold pieces
Silver or wealth
And all await sentencing.Death will leave you penniless
And all collide
Only men remain crying
And sadness will cover the world.The plains and peaks are all the same
Good and bad will be achieved
Kings, dukes, earls and barons
They will have to account for their actions.And then comes, unexpected
The son of God Almighty
He will judge the living and the dead
The good go to heaven.The Unborn
Cry from the wombs of their mothers
And with her cries say
“Help us God Almighty”Mother of God, pray for us
You, the Mother of All Sins
You have the judgment merciful
You have that paradise is open to us.You who have heard it all
Pray to God with devotion
With all your heart and fervor
That should save us.
~♥~
Drifting into the Divine ~♥~ 