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Choirs and music from around the world at the Pope’s Nativity scence
In the presence of Card. Comastri and Mgr. Bertello, a choir of 100 children and adults will sing Christmas hymns of St.Alfonso de 'Liguori. Songs in German, English and Spanish will be also performed. Then, the Pope will look out of his studio window to light the candle of peace, awaiting the celebration of Christmas.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - For the first time in the history of Christmas in the Vatican, the inauguration of the giant Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square will be greeted by "a meditation in song": a chorus of 100 adults and children, accompanied by bagpipes and traditional instruments, will sing tunes of the most famous Christmas carols from Italy and around the world.
The ceremony will take place tomorrow, December 24th at 16.45 in St Peter's Square, under the Pope's window, where the same Pope, at 6pm, will look down and light the candle, symbol of peace.
The musical tribute titled "The Chiarastella" will be preformed by the popular Orchestra from the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, conducted by Ambrogio Sparagna, interspersed with brief introductions by the poet Davide Rondoni.
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In the long list of songs, there are primarily those of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, born in Naples in 700, which have spread all over the world. This will be followed by some songs in German, in honor of the pontiff, songs in English, Spanish and a lullaby in the Somali language, in memory of all the peoples of the Horn of Africa suffering from famine and hunger .
Mgr. Giuseppe Bertelli, governor of Vatican City, will lead the ceremony representing all the workers who prepared the crib, and Card. Angelo Comastri, the pope's vicar for Vatican City, who will conclude the meeting leading the prayers of those present.
Finally, as every year, Benedict XVI will look down from his study window to light the Christmas candle.