Christmas (Old English: Cristesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass" is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed cultural holiday, celebrated generally on December night 24 and Christmas day December 25 by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide, which ends after the twelfth night. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world's nations.
In this spirit I wish you all, believer or non believer, Christian or non Christian,
A very Merry Christmas!
May the New year 2014 be a wonderful year for you.
Both my grandsons have finished their student life, graduated and will start their jobs in 2014.
Lucian, 24 has studied Medicine at University of Queensland. Starts as a junior doctor at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. His aim is to become a specialist surgeon.
Felice 21, here with his mother,
Felice has studied Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering,
also at University of Queensland, he finished with Honours.
Starting a grad job with Glencore Xstrata,
one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies
A new period of life for both boys, or better said young men, Both have done so well, always.
Gaudeamus igitur
"De Brevitate Vitae" and "Gaudeamus" . For the work by Seneca the Younger.
"De Brevitate Vitae" ("On the Shortness of Life"), more commonly known as "Gaudeamus Igitur" ("So Let Us Rejoice") or just "Gaudeamus", is a popular academic song in many European countries, mainly sung or performed at university graduation ceremonies. Despite its use as a formal graduation hymn, it is a jocular, light-hearted composition that pokes fun at university life. The song dates to the early 18th century, based on a Latin manuscript from 1287 It is in the tradition of carpe diem with its exhortations to enjoy life.
It was known as a beer-drinking song in many ancient universities and is the official song of many schools, colleges, universities, institutions, and student societies.The lyrics reflect an endorsement of the bacchanalian mayhem of student life while simultaneously retaining the grim knowledge that one day we will all die. The song contains humorous and ironic references to sex and death, and many versions have appeared following efforts to bowdlerise this song for performance in public ceremonies. In private, students will typically sing ribald words.
The song is sometimes known by its opening words, "Gaudeamus igitur" or simply "Gaudeamus". In the UK, it is sometimes affectionately known as "The Gaudie". The centuries of use have given rise to numerous slightly different versions.
Johannes Brahms quoted the hymn in the final section of his Academic Festival Overture. Sigmund Romberg used it in the operetta The Student Prince, which is set at the University of Heidelberg. The hymn is also quoted, along with other student songs, in the overture of Franz von Suppé's 1863 operetta Flotte Burschen (the action being once again set at the University of Heidelberg).
When sung, the first two lines and the last line of each stanza are repeated; for instance:
