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 Christmas 1959: Nativity by Raphael Scott 266-268 
 Christmas 1982: Nativity by Enrico Manfrini Scott 713-714 Today, December 25, is Christmas Day, or more formally the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. It is represented in the Latin phrase Nativitas Domini Nostri Iesus Christi, "Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". It is sometimes abbreviated on Vatican City stamps as “Nativitas D. N. I. Christi.” Vatican City's first set of Christmas stamps depicted the Nativity as presented in a manger scene by Raphael (Scott 266-268, 1959). Nativity stamp issues continued annually to 1968, and, after a 14-year hiatus, returned in 1982 with the nativity scene by Enrico Manfrini (Scott 713-714). Over the years, the designs of the stamps for Christmas have been based on paintings and other works of art by artists from the earliest days of the Church, through the Renaissance to the present day.  Christmas 1994: Nativity by Tinteretto Scott 970a The Christmas story is known by all readers of these calendar entries. One of the best ways to tell the Christmas Story is to recall the titles and a few words from seven traditional Christmas carols, two with late medieval origins and five from the 18th and 19th centuries. Bethlehem: “O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie, Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light, The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight.” (Text by Philip Brooks, 1818, set to various musical scores). Silent Night: "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wacht. Nur das traute hochheilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!” “Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright. 'Round yon virgin Mother and Child, Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.” (Franz Gruber, 1818). Message Of The Angels On Christmas Night: “Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.' Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem.' Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King!'” (Felix Mendelssohn, 1739). Joy To The World: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.” (George Frederic Handel, 1719). The First Noel: “The First Noel, the Angels did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!” (Cornish origins, late medieval/early modern era, first published 1823 as The First Nowell). We Three Kings: “We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.” (John Henry Hopkins, 1857). Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful): “Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes, Venite, venite in Bethlehem. Natum videte, Regem Angelorum. Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, venite adoremus, Dominum!” “O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant. O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” (Originally composed as Adeste Fideles, perhaps by Cistercian monks, traceable to a 17th century Portuguese Mass held by King John IV of Portugal. Music attributed to John Francis Wade (1744) and several others). Best Wishes and Peace on Earth to all for a Very Merry Christmas! REFERENCES: |
