Dans l’ attente de Noël
Waiting for Christmas
English version below the pictures
Autrefois les hivers étaient plus durs dans notre région d Nord de lz France . j’ ai retrouvé une petite peinture que j’ ai faite quand j’ avais 14 ans ( 1947). Je ne me souviens pas si cela venait de mon imagination ou si je copiais une image, probablement des deux . Cela représente deuc femmes marchant dans la neige pour aller passer la soirée chez une voisine et portant leur rouet . Cela devait se situer au XIX ème siècle mais cela montre aussi qu’ en ces années 1940 and 50l la neige était abondante et persistante en Décembre . Et nous marchions ou utilisions nos vélos . Pas beaucoup d’ autos en ces temps-là en France . La vie était principalement sur le mode rural. Aurons nous de la neige à Noël cette année ?
In the past the winters were harder in our region of Northern France . I found again a painting that I made when I was around 14 years old ( 1947) . I don’ t remember if it came from my imagination or if I copied an image , probably the two. It shows women walking in the snow to spend the evening at someone ‘s house and bearing their spinning wheel . This should be at the XIX th centurty! But It shows also that in those years1940’s and 1950’s the snow was abundant and persistent in December .And we walked at feet or rode bicycle. No many cars at this time in France. Life had mostly a rural style. Will we have snow at Christmas this year ?
Quoi qu’il en soit , neige ou pas neige , nous célébrerons l’ anniversaire de la naissance du Christ. Nous pourrons chanter :
Dans une étable obscure sous le ciel étoilé
Et d ‘une vierge pure un doux sauveur est né .
Le Seigneur Jesus Christ
Est né dans une crèche quand a sonné Minuit
—————————–
Whatever snow or no snow we will be celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Christ. We will be able to sing :
In a dark barn under the stars
a pure virgin gave birth to a sweet Savior.
The Lord Jesus Christ
Is born in a manger when midnight sounded .
———————————
Dans l’ attente la crèche est déjà installée. Comme vous les savez , cette crèche vient de mon cousin René. Ses parents l’ont acheté pour lui à sa naissance en 1947 et plus tard ils l’ont donnée à Janine et moi. Nous l’avons installée à chaque Noël pour nos enfants, petits-enfants et nous, bien sûr
In the wait the creche already is installed.As you know, this crib comes from my cousin René . His parent bought it for him at his birth in 1947 and later they gave it to Janine and me. We installed this creche at every Christmas for our children, grandchildren and us of course
Je vous souhaite un bon Noël , rempli de bénédictions .
I wish you a great Christmas filled with a lot of blessings .
Happy Christmas! All the best to you and your family. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Thank you kathy , Thank you very much. I wish you a good Christmas too.
A blessed Christmas to you and all of your family Michel. Perhaps a little snow. 🙂
Thank you for the hymn, a nice way for me to start my day.
Thank you, Bonnie. I am glad you enjoyed the song.
Dear Michel and Janine, A most blessed Christmas to you too. You are a good artist. We probably won’t have snow here, but that will make it easier for traveling. My son is driving from N.Y. state, and my daughter hopes to come after Christmas for my 80th birthday Jan 7th. Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!
You are right Gracia We have to think of the driving in those days of Christmas and New year ( and birthday ) . With the snow the roads become dangerous.
Thanks for your greetings. .
What an amazing artist you are Michel…age fourteen, that is beautiful. Have a Merry christmas with your beautiful family. Love ❤ Holly
Amazing artist? You are too much kind , Holly . But thanks anyway and thanKs for your Christmas greetings.<3
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas. Blessings in 2018.
Thanks you very much I know you already have started the celebration. Continue on that way! 🙂
Thank you
Thank you for another year of sharing your beautiful view of life. Your generous spirit shines a light on all of us and your blog truly represents the hands of Christ. Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas.
Thanks for your greetings, Judy but you are too much kind with me . I wish for you and yours a great Christmas /♥
A very merry Christmas to you and your family. I know you will enjoy a wonderful meal with those that you love.
You are talented as a painter, illustrator and musician. A multi talented man.
I like the creche…It is meaningful in so many ways.
The Messiah promised to come again and take His people with Him. I look forward to that. It may be soon.
Love,
votre amie,
Francoise.
I’m not writing much on facebook and next year not nearly as much. I’ll still be there but…less often.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment , Françoise and for your greetings . I think you need to write :just adapt the frequency! ❤
Merry Christmas to you and your family Michel! Peace and blessings to you all.
Thanks , Nico. The same for you and yours.
OH! Your painting is beautiful and heartwarming, Michel! Thank you for showing it to us! 🙂 Thank you, also, for sharing the hymn and the creche. Both important parts of the Christmas celebration. 🙂
Your photo of the creche reminds me of this:
“Christmas is love tugging man back to God with the powerful clasp of a tiny hand reaching out from a bed of straw.”
Merry Christmas to you and Janine and all of your family!!! 🙂 I wish for you to have some snow…and more importantly, I wish for you to have joy and peace! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
I like very well the quote, Carolyn. This is the meaning of Christmas. ❤
Thanks for the Christmas greetings . The same for you.
You’re welcome, Michel! 🙂
❤
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season, Michel! Much love to you all,
Lavinia ❤
This is so kind Lavinia. Merry Christmas to you both.
My very best wishes to you and your loved ones for a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy 2018.
Thanks yvonne; I wish you a merry Christmas and a complete recovery after your break.
Love the paintings you have shown us! I learn a little more about French life each time. Your creche is beautiful and is a great tradition that you will pass down to your grandchildren and their grandchildren’
May you ,Janine and your entire family have a wonderful and merriest Christmas ❤
I am glad , Gayle , You enjoyed this post . Thanks for your Christmas wishes . I wish the same for you.
Beautiful and comforting traditions! Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Thank you Susan.. I wish for you and yours a great Christmas .
A very Merry Christmas to all of you! I am glad to be celebrating this year. I hope everyone enjoys this special time.
I am glad ,Rachel, you will enjoy the Christmas celebration this year.
Merrry and blessed Christmas ! ❤
All the best for a wonderful Christmas for you and Janine and all of your family 🙂 A special time of year for family! ❤
hank you, Marlaine . yes Christmas Day is the Day where we all are gathered !
i wish the best possible for you.
Love ❤
The creche is beautiful. Yes, it’s about the birth of God’s son so we can rejoice.
Merry Christmas. Hugs
Glad you enjoy the creche ,Elizabeth.
Merry Christmas to you and you family.
Wishing you, Janine, and your family all the blessings of Christmas, with or without snow! Thank you for sharing your painting, your memories, and your traditions! I have a nativity set that my godmother gave me when I was baptized. I will take a picture and post it on facebook.
I will be going to see your Nativity set, Nancy . May this Christmas be blessed for you and your family.
We haven’t seen snow here yet. Though, it did snow one night, a lot it seems, for about twenty minutes and then it all melted. I was inside the house, and totally missed it. HAH! We are hoping that it will snow this weekend.
happy holidays and a healthy new year to you and yours dear Michel.
Thanks dear Zakiah. Here the meteo does not announce snow.We will have it only in mind ! 🙂 Thanks for your greetings . Love ❤
I very much like your childhood painting, Michel! A wonderful Christmas 🎄 to you and your family! ❤
I am glad you enjoyed this painting from my youth , Marion . Thanks for your greetings and merry Christmas to you both.
Michel you are such a talented man as I can see from your painting as a 14yo!! I miss the times when there weren’t so many cars here in Beijing and it’s such a shame that now, there are way too many cars! Too many modern buildings also after the government has gotten rid of the small and shoddy Mom-and-pop shops. We’ve seen the changes here and it makes us sad and nostalgic for the “good ole days.”
That’s a beautiful crèche!
Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderfully Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 and a Happy New Year filled with love and many blessings!!’💕💗Angela
Thank you dear Angela .I am glad my post gives you matter of thought
Thanks for your greetings and merry Christmas filled wth blessings for all of you three ❤ .
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas , I hope that Janine and you enjoy time with your wonderful family. Thank you for your lovely card
Thank you, Julie . The family. will be gathered at Christmas Day .
Merry Christmas !
Merry Christmas to you and your whole family, Uncle Michel.🎄☃️🎄
Joy, Peace & L❤VE
Thank Isabel . I am lad to read this comment. Merry Christmas to you all too.
That creche is lovely. I’d like to have one of my own someday.
I wish you and your family a lovely and blessed Christmas! ❤
A craftwoman like you would be able to make a creche, I think,, Marica
Wishing you and yours a merry and blessed Christmas.
Love ❤
Michel;
You truly are talented, Michel. What a lovely sketch of snow during Christmas!
I wish you and your loved ones a most blessed Christmas. {v}
Thank you Suzy for your compliment and your greetings .
I wish you a merry and blessed Christmas ❤
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mornin Glorie….ILYM
Thanks ,my friend Marsha . <May Christmas be blessed for you .ILYM ❤
Bonjour ou Bonsoir
Joyeux Noël mon ami amie ! MICHEL
J’espère que le Père Noël sera généreux avec toi
Si ce n’est pas le cas ne t’inquiète pas
Sache que mon amitié pour toi vaut tout l’or du monde
Ce petit message marrant pour Noël
Que tu te rappelles combien notre relation amicale est importante pour moi.
Je te présente par avance tous mes vœux de bonne année 2018
Ton ami qui pense à toi
Bisous Bernard
Merci, Bernard pour ton amical message de Noël . Je te souhaite aussi un joyeux Noël.
Seasons Greetings Michel! Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018, from Wendy and myself! Cheers and best wishes!
Thanks Larry and Wenda . All of the best for you .
Joyeux Noël!
Thanks I hope you got a great Christmas and I wish you a happy New year
I like your painting! Thank you for showing it. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We did.
I am glad you had a great Christmas, Gail . HereWe got a nice familial gathering.
Your creche is lovely! Happy New Year to you!
I am so glad to read you, Beth. Thanks for your wishes and happpy New Year to you. ❤
Michel, I hope this late Christmas greeting finds you well. It is a beautiful tribute to your faith. I just adore the painting you did when you were a teenager. I can see a budding artist already then. You are very talented, you know! Happy New Year and may 2018 bring you much joy, health and abundance.
Thanks Louisa for your greetings and for your compliments.I wish all )the best for you for the up coming year. ❤