O Holy Night (And Gifts that are Given)

A friend of mine sent this to me.  It is one of my favorite songs, and I especially love when Sr. Suzanne Dauwalter sings it.  Sr. Suzanne is our Provincial Economer, and her voice is simply God’s gift.  She has never been trained, but her voice has the character and quality of these women, who have had years of training, I’m sure.  Sr. Suzanne will often sing at our events in the province.  She is usually very nervous before singing, and often downplays the great gift that has been given to her…but her willingness to share it and to sing for us and to praise God is always there.

As we come to the end of Advent, and the beginning of the amazing season of Christmas, I cannot help but thank God for His many gifts.  He is lavish in what He has given to me, and in what He has shared with others.  During this time, I hope that you will be able to sit and recognize His gifts to you, and to think about how you can use these gifts to further His glory and to help those around you.

This Christmas, on this “Holy Night,” think about these talents, these gifts, and give them back.  Share them with the people around you – your loved ones, friends, and neighbors.  You may think little of what you have received, but I can guarantee that what you share will benefit those who are recipients.

Italian…”italiano”

I learned Italian.  It never seemed I would be able to learn a foreign language.  When I was a kid, and spoke the little bit of Spanish, I remember wondering what good the phrase, “the pen is red” would do for me in real life and how this knowledge would help me to communicate in a foreign language….like what do I do – go up to someone and say, “hola, the pen is red.” 

My method of learning Italian, though, was mostly through music.  Below I’ve posted one of my favorite songs – it’s really not new, nor was it new when I learned it.  I just love the first line.  “You are my life.  I have no other.” 

 

In the end, that is what it all boils down to, isn’t it?  He is (or should be) our life!  Here are the words with the English translation…

Tu sei la mia vita altro io non ho

You are my life, I have no other
Tu sei la mia strada, la mia verita’

You are my way, my truth

Nella tua parola io camminero’
In your word, I will walk

Finche’ avro’ respiro fino a quando tu vorrai
For as long as I breathe, as long as you want

Non avro’ paura sai, se tu sei con me
I won’t be afraid, you know, if you are with me

io ti prego resta con ma

I ask you to remain with me

Credo in te Signore nato da Maria
I believe in you, Lord, born of Mary

Figlio eterno e santo, uomo come noi
Eternal and Holy Son, a man like us

Morto per amore, vivo in mezzo a noi
You died for love, living in our midst

Una cosa sola con il Padre e con i tuoi
You are one with the Father and those who belong to you

Fino a quando, io lo so, tu ritornerai
I know it, until you will return

Per aprirci il regno di Dio
To open the Kingdom of God to us

Tu sei la mia forza, altro io non ho
You are my strength, I have no other

Tu sei la mia pace, la mia liberta’
You are my peace, my freedom

Niente nella vita ci separera’

Nothing in life will ever separate us

So che la tua mano forte non mi lascera’
I know that your strong hand will not leave me

So che da ogni male tu mi libererai
I know you will free me from every evil

E nel tuo perdono vivro’
And in your forgiveness I will live

Padre della vita noi crediamo in te
Father of life we believe in you

Figlio Salvatore, noi speriamo in te
Son and Savior, we hope in you

Spirito d’Amore vieni in mezzo a noi
Spirit of Love, come among us

tu da mille strade ci raduni in unita’
From our thousands of paths, you gather us in unity

e da mille strade poi, dove tu vorrai
And from thousands of streets, where you want us

noi saremo il seme di Dio

We will be the seeds of God