Beowulf On My Mind

The graphics were straight out of fantasy, the story was deceptively intriguing and the movie house was state of the art but what remained on my mind after watching the movie was the song.

Deep in the heart of darkness sparks a dream of light
Surrounded by hopelessness he finds the will to fight
There’s no surrender, always remember
It doesn’t end here, we’re not alone

Just wait though wide he may roam
Always a hero comes home
He goes where no one has gone
But always a hero comes home

The whole song is sung here.

via ...of Personal Legends and Magic Moments... were you can find more detailed lyrics of the song.

The Innkeeper

In our stories of Christmas and in most of the plays the innkeeper is often portrayed as a bad man, callously sending a pregnant young woman to the back of the inn. But can we really say that for sure? Couldn't he be the one man kind enough to let a couple into his already overflowing place? Couldn't he and his wife...

...rise up early, stay up late,
To help the pilgrims go and come,
And when the place was full, to some
Especially the poorest, they would say,
"We're sorry there's no room, but stay
Now if you like out back. There's lots
Of hay and we have extra cots
That you can use...

...says a poem describing the innkeeper in a different light. Read the all the stanzas of the tale here:
The Innkeeper

Oh Really? Genius?

At first I was saying "right on!"... but then I realized there's an implied insult here. Something along the lines of a reader saying "oh, yeah... it would take a real genius to figure out what all of these mean."

I also think of Wiley E. Coyote, after failing to catch the woodpecker, and falling from a really high place or getting blown up or worse, he remarks "Genius...Super Genius."

Oh well, Wiley's one of my favorite cartoon characters anyway.

A Song of Christmas Past

We once held a Christmas event in church for the youth BUT it was held in July, months ahead of schedule. "Christmas in July" We decorated the halls with twinkle lights and gave the guests a good meal and sang Christmas carols as the sun went down. That being said, the song "Christmas is All in the Heart" by Steven Curtis Chapman held center stage. It's enchanting melody and simple lyrics give the message that Christmas is always worth celebrating even on a non-Christmas-sy date or environment. ESPECIALLY on non-Christmas-sy dates and environments. Here's a part of the song:

And even if no white snow falls, that’s all right because
The joy can still be found, wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all, all in the heart

No, it’s not in the snow that may or may not fall
And it’s not in the gifts around the tree
It’s in the love heaven gave, the night our Savior came
And that same love can still be found wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart
And the joys can still be found, wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart
It’s all in the heart

From the album "The Music of Christmas"

Some of you reading this may live in places where Christmas will be seemingly impossible to celebrate. That may not be so here where I am BUT I'm quite the perfectionist and often nostalgic about the holidays. I always compare one Christmas celebration against those held in the past, and rarely do my Christmases reach the ideal that I want. Reflecting on the song reminds me though, again and again, whatever the circumstances, it's not what's outside that matters the most. There's always one event that gives me a reason to celebrate. I pray the same be true for you, through any time or season you face, may it always be Christmas in your heart.

Prince Caspian Trailer

Of the making of fantasy movies with spiritual themes there is no end. Next month will see the advent of "The Golden Compass." Though this movie has so far escaped the furor that accompanied the Harry Potter movies, a similar storm will likely break out over it, what with it having an overtly atheistic creator and anti-church theme.

If you want to check out the Golden Compass, here's an article that has a useful overview.

You might want to check out Prince Caspian, the fantasy movie I want to see, which will out on May 16, 2008.

...Narnia fans are in for a long wait...

Christmas: Even Though It's Still November

All Saint's and All Soul's have come and gone while Bonifacio Day, the next holiday, has yet to make an appearance. And yet the air's already filled with the festive atmosphere of Christmas. Malls belt out ballads through their sound systems and our neighbors have already decorated their gate with twinkling lights and snowmen. Newscasters announce "X days left to go before Christmas" and bells and balls are in very high demand. I seemed to hear the voice of carolers at our own gate a couple of days back although I never went out there to check (so i wouldn't have to pay them the obligatory sinsilyo).

Okay, that last statement may prove that I still have Grinch in my blood but don't get me wrong here, I really do love the season. After all:

Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.

-states the trivia section of the WOW Philippines Website.

In honor of that idea, I'll be mentioning Christmas more than a couple of times in this blog. Yes, even if it's still November.