Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Wednesday 23 December 2009

The Empty Christmas Stocking


The Christmas Stocking These are my family's stockings, and we have from left - Master 5, Master 4, Master nearly 2, Miss 8 months and Miss 7 months.

I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the Child born in a manger. Its His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.

Cantique de Noël (O Holy Night)
The first time I heard this carol it brought tears to my eyes, it is so beautiful. Composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), a wine merchant and poet. Cappeau was asked to write a Christmas poem by a parish priest.

The great Enrico Caruso recorded this on 23rd February 1916.


Boun Natale.

13 comments:

Louis la Vache said...

Re your comment about the Christmas Tree having been photographed from a great height: «Louis» took that photo from the seventh floor of the Union Square Macy's. The tree is real. It was grown in Oregon.

Leif Hagen said...

I hope your family can all be together to celebrate the real "reason for the season" on December 25th! Merry Christmas

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I enjoyed all the work you did on it.

Kris McCracken said...

It’s that time of year again! I’m doing the rounds and apologising for my complete failure to more regularly offer comment on everybody’s incredible efforts for the year. I know how hard it can be to keep up with the daily grind of everyday posting, and want to thank you for your efforts.

I especially want to wish festive greetings for all from down here at [nearly] the end of the world, the bottom of Tasmania.

So, if you could delete whatever is not applicable, I’d like to wish you a very pleasant/merry/happy/wonderful/safe Amaterasu; Ashurall; Beiwe; Choimus; Christmas; Dazh Boh; Dongzhi; Goru; Hanukkah; Hogmanay; Junkanoo; Karachun; Koleda; Lenæa; Meán Geimhridh; Modranicht; New Years; Ras as-Sana; Rozhanitsa Feast; Şeva Zistanê; shōgatsu; Summer Solstice [if you're in the Southern Hemisphere]; Sviatki; Winter solstice [if you're in the Northern Hemisphere]; Yalda; Yule-tide; Ziemassvētki; and Коляда!

With a hearty three cheers from Kris, Jen, Henry and Ezra!

~Cheryl said...

Caruso! He is timeless! Thanks for posting this and the empty stocking story. Merry Christmas to you!

Unknown said...

Beautiful post. Have a Merry Christmas :)

B SQUARED said...

We always seem to forget the greatest gift of all ...

johnny said...

Emotional post Christmas. I hope you spend a happy Christmas day in the company of your loved ones.

MJ said...

Love the Christmas stocking story. (I recognize it as part of the sermon from the movie "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant!) Thanks for visiting my blog - & yes, Wisconsin will be having a white Christmas this year. Merry Christmas & Happy 2010 to you!

Cezar and Léia said...

Adorable ornaments! :)
Léia

kostas said...

Merry Christmas+Happy New Year.
Regards from Thessaloniki.

Unknown said...

Beautiful post!
Merry Christmas!

VP said...

A great post full of beautiful and interesting stories and images!
Have a good Christmas Eve!

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.