Dec 5th 2019

Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but these were not Christmas Carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, usually taking place around 22nd December. The word Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy! Carols used to be written and sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has really survived. Early Christians took over the pagan solstice celebrations for Christmas and gave people Christian songs to sing instead of pagan ones. In 129, a Roman Bishop said that a song called "Angel's Hymn" should be sung at a Christmas service in Rome. Another famous early Christmas Hymn was written in 760, by Comas of Jerusalem, for the Greek Orthodox Church. Soon after this many composers all over Europe started to write 'Christmas carols'. However, not many people liked them as they were all written and sung in Latin, a language that the normal people couldn't understand. 

I refused to give up the day!

I woke up feeling rather crumby

But I got dressed put on a Santa hat

And went to work on my day.

Called mom and told her to get dressed

And meet me at Valleyview 

After her doctors appointment.

A full house of people attending the Carol sing

(Only 5 visitors... :( )

Told Dad the plans and sent him off

For lunch and a nap.

Loaded Mom up and started out.

Berry Hill

Home Hardwar

Tree Lot

Taco Bell

Giant Tiger

Dollarama

Back to put mom in her own car

Bank -TD

Bank -BMO

Food Basics

Home.

Once more (like yesterday)

When I sat down, I was so tired

I could have fallen right to sleep!

Instead, I put away the groceries,

Made out 2 special Christmas cards,

And then sat - literally - until 8pm

When I crawled into bed.

Spent 2 hours with Pentatonix

Playing carols while I laid in bed dozing.

John is off to work

And I am going to try 

For a whole night's sleep!

Good night from John Street