by Morning Reflections | Dec 11, 2020 | Uncategorized
In an 1883 collection of Christmas carols, Away in a Manger was called “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” This note followed: “Composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones.” Nice try. Today we know that James Murray of...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
As recently as 125 years ago, some of the world’s brightest thinkers solemnly declared human beings would never fly.They were wrong.About the same time, engineers confidently predicted that the long-distance transmission of pictures was contrary to the laws of...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
People from all walks of life and every kind of circumstance end up writing Christmas carols.Even burned-out preachers.In 1849, a Massachusetts pastor named Edmund Sears suffered an emotional breakdown. He wasn’t just bone-weary from laboring for seven years to lead...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
The 19th century French composer Adolphe Charles Adam wrote more than fifty ballets and operas.Most are unremembered. But no one looks past Adam’s O Holy Night, the single most cherished solo number of the season. In France it’s known simply as Cantique de...
by Morning Reflections | Dec 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
The typical nativity scene includes Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds, and Magi – not to mention a cow, a few sheep, and perhaps a humble-looking donkey.One prominent character in the original Christmas accounts, however, never makes the cut. That would be King...
