People everywhere love Christmas – but we don’t all celebrate it the same way.
Mama Lisa’s Christmas Around The World is a celebration of the diversity and love with which many different cultures mark this joyful time of year.
You’ll read about:
- How in Italy it’s not Santa Claus who gives gifts to all the children. It’s La Befana, a friendly witch!
- How Scandinavians mark the end of the season by “plundering” the Christmas Tree on St. Knut’s Day. That’s a fun way to get children to help with the post-holiday clean-up!
- How in Colombia, in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s usually warm in December. So Christmas is celebrated like a giant outdoor block party!
The first part of the book covers some of the traditions that take place on days other than Christmas itself, like St. Nick’s Day and Epiphany. The history and meaning of these holidays is discussed, often with examples of traditional songs.
The second part presents beloved traditions and songs from many different nations. The songs are given in the original languages and with English translations.
What makes the book really special is the many comments from Mama Lisa’s correspondents who have shared stories and memories from their own lives. The memories of childhood touch us forever!
Many of the songs featured also include links to the Mama Lisa website, where you can find recordings, videos and sheet music.
Merry Christmas!
THIS IS A DOWNLOADABLE EBOOK AVAILABLE INSTANTLY.
Order Here!
December 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Happy Saint Stephen’s Day …..
St. Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint’s day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church.
In Irish it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofán or Lá an Dreoilín – the latter translates literally as another English name used, the Day of the Wren or Wren’s Day.
There is a song that goes with this day …
The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze,
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
Give us some money to bury the wren.
There is also a song for Saint Stephen’s Day, sung by boys in the Saint Lucia Celebration
Stephen’s song
Staffan Stalledräng,
December 27th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Here are the Swedish words for Stephen’s Song
Staffan var en staledräng
Vi tackom nu så gärna
Han vattnar sina fålar fem
Allt för dn ljusa stjärna
Ingen dager synes än,
Stjärnorna på himmelen
De blanka
Nu är fröjd uti vårt hus
Vi tackom nu så gärna
Julegran och jule ljus
Allt för dn ljusa stjärna
Ingen dager synes än,
Stjärnorna på himmelen
De blanka
I am not sure about the litereal translation, but I believes it goes that
Stephan was a stable boy …. he is thankful for tha joy and there is light from a star.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Ed sent me a midi tune of the Swedish St. Stephen’s Song. You can click the link to hear it. If anyone can provide an English translation of the Swedish lyrics, that would be great! Thanks in advance and many thanks to Ed for sharing this song with the tune!
-Mama Lisa
December 28th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Lisa …
This Christmas I was looking for the music for three songs:
The Dutch Santa Clause song that is in the 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street” I found that on your website.
The song “God Bless Us Everyone” I found out that you can purchase that directly from the composer and did so.
The song “Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey” …. I’m still looking for that, perhaps you or one of your readers might be able to help me there.