Christmas
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“Where Is Christmas Now” is a sweet, nostalgic, unashamedly sentimental carol to Christmas in all its colours, joys, and magic. Evoking the memory of classic Christmas songs of old, and pared back to just straight-from-the-heart vocals, and featuring the wonder of legendary UK jazz pianist Rob Barron, “Where Is Christmas Now” is the perfect musical…
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These are just a few impressions of Christmas during World War II. The above photo is of a Christmas party in a German hospital (Lazarett) on 20 December 1941. Sisters of the Red Cross wanted to surprise the wounded German soldiers on Christmas Eve and diligently practice their Christmas Carol. Dutch soldiers during the mobilization…
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Since we are currently in Advent time, I reckon it’s safe to start talking about Christmas again. My all-time favourite Christmas song is Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. my all-time favourite Christmas song. It’s hard to believe that they recorded it 45 years ago. It’s not just a song…
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One thing that always surprises me in any war, particularly World War II, is that so many aspects of normal life still happened. The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas (St Nicholas aka Santa Claus) on December 5, but he usually arrives in the country in mid-November. This is one of the celebrations which continued during World War…
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My shoes are touching the promenade on “Poor Man’s Kilkee”Rain is falling on my head , and drops are slowly reaching my face.A man in a coffee shop is putting up a Christmas tree.Undisturbed the Shannon flows, in so much splendor and grace. The town with its magical and festive lights makes me smile.Children gaze…
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Bing Crosby sang “I am dreaming of a white Christmas” and made it sound like a magical event. However for the men stuck in the Belgian Ardennes, a white Christmas was probably the last thing they wanted.But they did get the snow, in fact it was one the coldest and harshest winters on record. Following…
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Someone tried to convince me that Santa Claus is a mythical figure.Well if that’s the case who puts my presents under the Christmas tree? Anyhow! Santa Claus has many names but they all come from the same historical figure,Nikolaos of Myra(aka Nicholas of Bari) The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born…
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When we think of Christmas dinner now, we think of indulgence a non stop culinary feast, an abundance of food and drink. During WWII however, it was anything but that. In most occupied countries people were trying to survive on very little food. In the US, UK and Canada food was rationed.Rationing was introduced in…
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Let it never be said I don’t provide a public service with my blogs. I know the Christmas season can be a time filled with anxiety and especially for those men who do not know yet what to buy for their wives or girlfriends(or both). That’s why I decided to help along. With only a…
History of Sorts 
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