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12/8 Buddha Sun

‘Buddha Sun’ photograph by Kevin Baird

Buddha Sun is my name for this spectacular photo which was featured on SpaceWeather.com. The sun became Buddha one October evening in Southern California to radiate blessings to the world. A magical sunset photo!

Kevin says: “At first the cloudless sky suggested a ‘boring’ sunset;. Instead, it was unforgettable.”

The scientific explanation from Atmospheric Optics: Multiple inversion layers produced the complex mirage. The cold California Ocean Current had cooled the air next to the ocean surface. Above that there were layers of warm dry air driven from inland by high pressure over Utah and Nevada.

The day of enlightenment. December 8, 596 BC Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Image shows enlightened Gautama Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree.

It is said that on the morning of his enlightenment he looked up and saw the morning star (Venus) and cried in wonder:

That’s it! That’s it! That’s it. That’s me! That’s me that’s shining so brilliantly! How wondrous, how wondrous! All beings are endowed with this pure nature! What a wondrous, astonishing thing has been realized! All the ten thousand things, all the flowers, all the trees, all the rocks, all things everywhere are shining brilliantly!

For Buddhists today is a day of remembrance and meditation. It is a reminder that with right effort and understanding anyone can become enlightened. Zen Buddhists begin an intensive sesshin (meditation practice) on December 1 which, lasts until through the 8th. They often stay up all night in meditation to bring in Rohatsu (the morning of Buddha’s realization). Colored lights symbolizing the many pathways to enlightenment are strung and turned on each evening and candles honoring the path of enlightenment are lit for 30 days. Fiscus trees (ficus religiousa) are decorated with colored lights, stings of beads symbolizing the unity and shiny ornaments representing the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). Children make cookies in the shape of a tree (Bodhi tree) or a heart shaped leaf.

Happy Bodhi Day! May all sentient beings attain perfect, complete, precious Enlightenment.

Photograph by Kevin Baird October 13, 2005 near Palomar Airport, San Diego CA. Kevin is a freelance editor at Green Desert Productions. You can see more of Kevin’s wonderful photography at kbaird on Flickr.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 8, 2008
12/7 Carol Of The Bells, Windham Hill

Carol Of The Bells performed by Windham Hill Artists

A lovely, uplifting music video. Makes me smile. Hope you enjoy this instrumental version of Carol of the Bells as much as I do.

Classic Windham Hill Artists, song: Carol of The Bells, album: A Winter’s Solstice IV, Windham Hill Records (1993), music video directed by: Wayne Miller.

Carol of the Bells is based on Shchedryk (or bountiful)composed in 1916 by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych (1877-1921), a Ukrainian orthodox priest. It is said Shchedryk was inspired by a magical ancient pagan chant to bring in the new year (in April). Your can read the lyrics to Shchedryk at wikipedia.

The first lyrics to Carol of the Bells were written in the 1930s by Peter Wilhousky. They were believed to have been influenced by a Slavic legend which says, ‘every bell in the world rang when Jesus was born‘. You can read more about Carol of The Bells at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

The magical photo above left called Carol of the Bells is by Julia from Slovakia. You can see more of her photos at blessedchild.

May you ring in the Holidays with Good Cheer!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 7, 2008
12/6 O Tannenbaum – Vienna Boys Choir, live

O Tannenbaum performed by Vienna Boys Choir

Beautiful voices blending together for a glorious salute to the Christmas tree. O Tannenbaum is German for Oh Christmas Tree, where it is said the decorating of a Holiday tree began. The song is often sung round the tree on Feast of St. Nicholas and throughout the Holiday Season.

Vienna Boys Choir, Song: O Tannenbaum (a traditional Christmas carol), Album: Christmas Angels, Hans Gillesberger, 1978, RCA Gold Seal. Re-released in 1995.

The Feast of St. Nicholas

Saint Nicholas or Nicholas of Myra born c. 270, Patara, Lycia, died 6 December 343, Myra, Lycia is considered the patron Saint of sailors in Greece, of lawyers in France, and of children and travelers in Belgium. There are thousands of churches dedicated to St. Nicholas.

In the 12th century an official church holiday ‘The Feast of St. Nicholas’ celebrated December 6, was created in his honor. Traditionally this is a day of gift-giving and charity. St. Nicholas is one who may bring toys, nuts and gifts to children. On the eve of the feast some children leave their shoes by the hearth or outside. During the night they’re filled with goodies or switches (for nice or naughty children). Who fills the shoes varies from country to country from the 3 wise men to St. Nicolas to baby Jesus to angels or the elder males of the family. A glorious happy day of celebration.

May your shoes be filled with your heart desires! Happy St. Nicholas Day.

Vienna Boys’ Choir (German Wiener Sängerknaben) was formally created by Maximilian I of Habsburg in 1498. It is one of the best known boys’ choirs performing worldwide. The Choir is divided into four touring choirs of equal standing; tours, appearances in Vienna and recording projects are shared among them. The touring choirs are named after famous Austrian composers Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. You can read more, see schedules and music at their website Wiener Sängerknaben.

The painting above left is The Feast of St. Nicholas by Jan Steen c. 1660-65. Oil on canvas, 82 x 70.5 cm. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. You can see more painting by Jan Steen at Olga’s Gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 6, 2008
12/5 Star of Wonder

‘Star of Wonder’ photograph by Light

A beautiful manger and a star in lights at the Mormon Temple in Phoenix, Arizona during the Christmas Season. The temple has displays of hundreds of thousands of lights, a manger scene and choir singing nightly. A lovely celebration of Christmas and a wonderful outing. I always enjoy our journeys South to see the lights.

The Church of Christ (the original name for the Mormon Church now officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith their first prophet. He translated the Book of Mormon, a record of an ancient people on the American continents.

A quote from The Book of Mormon:

“The spirit and the body shall be united again in its perfect form.” ~Alma 11:43

Mormon’s believe that Christ’s birth occurred on April 6 but they celebrate Christmas in December with a tree, lights, gifts, and Santa Claus. The Christmas Holidays are a time for family, neighbors, friendship, thoughtfulness, acts of love, giving and celebration.

Have a twinkling, joy filled day!

Light Traveler (August 1946 – July 2003) photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. He filled my life with awe and wonder. Here’s to you Light!!! You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 5, 2008
12/4 The Angel Gabriel, Aled Jones live

‘The Angel Gabriel’ performed by Aled Jones, live

Absolutely beautiful and inspiring performance. I felt Spirit moving as Aled sang this lovely hymn. Enjoy The Angel Gabriel!

Artist: Aled Jones, album: The Christmas Album (2005), song: The Angel Gabriel, words: Basque carol, paraphrased by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924). Originally based on Angelus Ad Virginem, Anonymous 13th or 14th Century Latin. Alternate titles: Gabriel’s Message, The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came.

Lyrics:

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame, “All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For know a blessed mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honor thee, thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said, “My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.” most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say “Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

May angels bless and keep you safe throughout the Holidays!

Aled Jones born December 29, 1970 in Bangor, Wales is a Welsh singer, actor and television/radio personality. He first gained recognition as a boy soprano in the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was Lead Soloist within two years. In 1982 he won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for age 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod. By age 16 he sold more than six million albums. He has performed private recitals for Pope John Paul II, the Queen of England and the Prince and Princess of Wales. To date he has recorded twenty-four albums many reaching gold or platinum in the UK and Australia. You can read new, find out more and listen and buy his music at his website aledjones.co.uk.

The painting above right is a perfect compliment to the beautiful hymn. It is called Ecce Ancilla Domini (“The Annunciation”) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 1850. Oil on canvas. Tate Gallery, London, UK. You can view more paintings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti at Olga’s Gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 5, 2008