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Christmas Light Show, Nevada Christmas and Christmas Trees From Around The World

written by Thom - December 15th, 2009 at 10:00 pm

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW

Amazing Grace Techno – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

NEVADA CHRISTMAS

I got the following from my sister:

“Brudda here is my really good friends house that is between Carson and Gardnerville. He is so good that he did a Christmas Light display in a mall in Guam as well. They always do the display for charity. Check out the video’s they are really great and it is a great cause as well.”

Click here for NEVADA CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS TREES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

I received this from a friend in an email. I have not verified any of this information. I just like the pictures and it just makes me happy to share it and something interesting to read. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom. The picture and information about Arlington Cemetery in the winter, before Christmas is beautiful!

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The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the 50 U.S. states.

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The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy’s Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the ‘tree’ is a modern marvel for an ancient city

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A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo’s nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

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Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.

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Venice ’s Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

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Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

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The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Pra?do Com?io in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

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Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree’: Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany’s Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

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Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

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In addition to the Vatican’s heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

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The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid’s two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world’s biggest lottery.

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A token of gratitude for Britain’s aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

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Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

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Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,
swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out
of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality

which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.’
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

I wonder why the press hasn’t enlightened the public about it??

Arlington National Cemetery

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Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held..

Peace, peace, and farewell…

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Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths — some 5,000 — are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He’s done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Hey, it’s only my opinion.

A Hui Hou

35 Responses to “Christmas Light Show, Nevada Christmas and Christmas Trees From Around The World”

  1. Gattina
    December 16 2009 at 12:21 am

    1

    Beautiful Christmas trees, except the one from Murano, I don’t like it. You know that this year Belgium gave the Christmas tree to the Vatican and they are very proud of it. I saw on TV when it was cut ! A huge thing !

  2. kcinnova
    December 16 2009 at 4:03 am

    2

    Some of the members of our church handbell choir played at the lighting of the National tree this year. Also, my friend’s husband is buried at Arlington and 2 years ago his “section” was chosen to receive those beautiful wreaths.
    Those are my 2 “touches of greatness” today.

  3. Susan at Stony River
    December 16 2009 at 4:05 am

    3

    Now THAT’s a Christmas post.

    The DC tree came from West Virginia, but I didn’t know it was decorated by schoolchildren’s ornaments: how cool is that? I love the ‘parade of Christmas trees’ here. Also I’m thankful they didn’t show the one in Dublin; it’s hideous.

    :-P

    • Thom
      December 16 2009 at 6:40 am

      3.1

      Yeah…I wonder where the Grinch went? LOL. That is awesome about the DC tree. All trees should be decorated by kids :) Oh come on now, share that Dublin tree :)

      • Susan at Stony River
        December 17 2009 at 12:01 pm

        3.1.1

        OMG Don’t start me about the Dublin Christmas tree. To cheer us up in the Recession (they were serious btw) the government bought a hugely expensive new Christmas tree from France made entirely of light bulbs. Oh but they’re ECO-FRIENDLY light bulbs, so they’ll save money!

        NOT AS MUCH MONEY AS CHOPPING DOWN AN IRISH TREE INSTEAD, THANKS. And that would have been more eco-friendly. And cheaper. And maybe the money would have been better given to Irish charities to actually *help* people at Christmas. Oh, and wouldn’t have pissed off the whole country.

        Our whole government is one long display of dumbassery.

        Here it is, in the link below. I love the French, but I’m sorry, this ‘tree’ just looks like radioactive Cap’n Crunch if you ask me:
        http://bit.ly/7cP9Ka

        • Thom
          December 18 2009 at 12:26 am

          3.1.1.1

          OMG…it looks like something Spock expunged in the restroom LOL Now I can see your rant…you go sister…give ‘em hell :)

  4. Melli
    December 16 2009 at 5:34 am

    4

    I wonder if these are all from THIS year? That light show up top is cool!

  5. James
    December 16 2009 at 5:51 am

    5

    I loved seeing the wonderful trees from around the world. I did a double take on the one from Prague’s Old Town Square, I watched them setting it up and I think I took some pictures like that one.

    I really enjoy seeing Christmas celebrated in different places.

    Great post Thom.

    • Thom
      December 16 2009 at 6:42 am

      5.1

      Oh wow…I can’t wait to see your pictures of that tree. I bet they are just gorgeous. I too like to see this kind of thing. I’m glad you enjoyed :)

  6. Nicole
    December 16 2009 at 6:23 am

    6

    Got that via email the other day too. Sounded plausible to me :)
    I yet have to go out and shoot some Christmas trees and Decoration here.

    Btw. I need to fix my Blog software. I did an upgrade today which went wrong.
    For now I have a new project (which I will keep up later), if you care to look:
    http://www.nicoleb.org/citydaily/

  7. Brenda
    December 16 2009 at 7:28 am

    7

    I am so glad I stopped by your blog today, this was an amazing post! I loved seeing all those pictures, esp of Arlington cemetary.

    And I never knew that about the 12 days of Christmas. So much useful info here!

    Love your new profile pic!

  8. Barbara H.
    December 16 2009 at 9:05 am

    8

    An amazing variety of trees!

  9. juliana
    December 16 2009 at 9:28 am

    9

    some of these trees are quite spectacular.

    btw, slovenia provided a tree for the vatican a couple of years ago

  10. Sta
    December 16 2009 at 10:52 am

    10

    Absolutely gorgeous lights!! I love the light show on the video. In Neveda that is AWESOME!! I loved all the pictures. I have been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and I am in awe how they are so silent and walk back and forth in all kinds of weather. The steps are so perfectly worn into the rubber mat.

  11. Quilly
    December 16 2009 at 12:02 pm

    11

    The video is way cool. I posted it last year.

    I love that the Nevada Christmas display is collecting money to help someone in need and food for the food bank.

    I received this email, too and thought it pretty cool.

  12. Hazel
    December 16 2009 at 2:35 pm

    12

    OMG, what a beautiy Arlington is at christmas! I came across the 12 days of christmas somewhere, but it’s only now I find the whole origin clearly presented, thanks. I never thought Trafalgar Square would look that wonderful during christmas nights. I love how schoolchildren are involved in the making of a marvelous christmas tree. Woot! thanks for the show. The Monte Ingino tree intrigues me. I love the German tiny chapel tree, and oh what an amazing rock!

    • Thom
      December 17 2009 at 7:46 am

      12.1

      I’m glad you enjoyed this. I thoroughly did as well. Isn’t Arlington something else and yes that makes me happy that the kids are involved. :)

  13. Wayne Kremer
    December 16 2009 at 3:40 pm

    13

    Hello all! Thanks for the kind comments about our display (Nevada Christmas). We add a little more every year to it. The top display is Richard Holdman’s from Utah. Believe it or not, that video is a couple years old. He had so many coming to his gated community, that the other homeowners voted to close the gates during Christmas time. A bunch of Scrooges! Anyhow, he moved his display to his Dad’s house that has tons of trees (that he decorated), but is now looking to move his display back since the people who voted (and pushed) for the gates to be closed have moved. :) Merry Christmas!

    • Thom
      December 17 2009 at 7:47 am

      13.1

      A bunch of scrooges I tell ya. It is wonderful what you do and I’m glad my sister sent me the link. Well done and Mahalo for leaving such a great comment. Mele Kalikimaka to you and your family :)

  14. southlakesmom
    December 16 2009 at 5:00 pm

    14

    Thom, thank you for this post. Christmas Spirit FULL steam ahead!

    My minor touch with greatness — my son’s trumpet teacher is a member of the US Air Force brass and had the honor of playing for funerals at Arlington Cemetery. Rain, Snow, Ice, Sleet, Steamy Heat — they’re out there helping the families honor the fallen. Not only is he a great trumpet player, but he’s a really nice guy too.

  15. southlakesmom
    December 16 2009 at 5:01 pm

    15

    Oops — HAS the honor of playing there. He still does it.

    • Thom
      December 17 2009 at 7:49 am

      15.1

      Indeed full steam ahead. :) How awesome is that about him. That must be a real honor. :) I’m glad he is still around LOL :)

  16. ellen b
    December 17 2009 at 10:39 am

    16

    Loved this post Thom and especially the hidden meaning of the 12 days of Christmas :0)

  17. Rosidah Abidin
    December 17 2009 at 12:10 pm

    17

    Beautiful! I hope you’ll enjoy the holiday :)

Tags: , ,
Category: Holiday, Music, Video

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