Merry Christmas 2011

[Charles]

Love and Joy to all !!!

This is the thirteenth Christmas that I've been able to share with our friends and colleagues here on AnimationNation and I am very grateful for the opportunity for another Holiday Season with the great folks that make up our community.

As I've done on Christmas Eve for the past several years, good fortune had me participating in the decoration of St. Charles Barromeo Church on Lankershim Blvd. and Moorpark Rd. in North Hollywood, California.

The great benefactor of this beautiful house of worship was none other than Bob Hope and his wife, Delores Hope. They funded the building of the church. It was completed in 1959.

Here's how the church looks as of this morning on Christmas Eve.

[Charles]

On the drive back to Burbank, I passed by Bob Hope's house. He didn't live far from St. Charles Church. I pulled over and got a shot of the nativity scene the estate sets up at one of the gates to the property.

Bob and Delores Hope did this every year, and the tradition continues even though they've both passed on.

Here's a broader view of the nativity scene and the gate taken from across the street. These pictures can be viewed better by clicking on the image.

[Charles]

Christmas Eve in Burbank, California USA!

This is a block away from AN headquarters. Many of the residents of Burbank take their Christmas decorations seriously.

These homes are in the Magnolia Park neighborhood.

[Charles]

I've done this every Christmas on AN for years, ever since I discovered YouTube and all that it brings to life and to celebrating this most joyous of holidays.

I like to feature reverent Christmas songs on this night.

Here's a few which I hope you'll enjoy.

To start with, from America, a great spiritual folk song in the Gospel tradition that we loved to sing when we were kids, and still love to sing today.

Go Tell It On the Mountain.

[Charles]

Next up, my nomination for perhaps the most beautiful song my ears have ever heard. I discovered it last Christmas and shared it on the forums. From the Western Christian tradition, O Magnum Mysterium, or the Great Mystery...

[Charles]

And in the Eastern Christian tradition, an ancient Byzantine hymn. The language is the Greek that was spoken about 1500 to 2000 years ago, that the New testament was written in.




This is a rare treat as the monks who chant this do so in English.

The great Christmas song of the Eastern Church...

Christ is Born...

[Charles]

Once again, Merry Christmas brothers and sisters.

I hope your Holiday celebration is full of happiness and love.

Thank you for reading this and for coming to the AN Forums.

May you have peace and prosperity and creativity in your life, and may all your dreams come true.

[pkotvi]

Merry Christmas to all!

[Charles]

Linking this to the I Love Christmas topic for posterity.

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