Photo was taken on the Butter Road next to Mushera Mountain looking across at Caharbarna, Co.Cork (Irl)

It may only have been on top of the mountains last week but the first snow is always a lovely sight!

Thought on Monday – December – 12/12/2011

Silent night holy night, All is calm all is bright, Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. ~1st verse of Silent Night

Little Mix won the X-Factor last night in what could best be described as an uninspiring final. Coldplay as the guest performing group rose the tempo with a very impressive input. Little Mix’s version of Silent Night was different but beautiful and definitely pushed them to the finish line as winners. It was exactly 180 years ago when the carol “Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht” was first heard in the village church of Oberndorf, Austria. On that Christmas Eve, a song was born that would wind its way into the hearts of people right across the world. It has since been translated into hundreds of languages. There are different versions as to how it came to be. Some say mice ate the bellows of the organ which meant the carol had to be accompanied by a guitar. Others say that the organ broke down and the words were put together so that a guitar could be used. The words of Silent Night echo what we all long for in our hearts at Christmas: silence, peace, calm, tenderness and light. Silent Night will never lose its popularity or impact. May its words become our words too this Christmas.