Wishing all my blog friends every happiness for Christmas and may your holiday season shine bright.
A scanned photograph of the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square taken by my son the day he arrived in Rome, on December 30, 2001. I had been in Italy since October and he arrived in the morning and I took him straight to the Vatican to see this amazing life-size presepio.
The 2001 Vatican Christmas tree, donated by Romania, standing next to the Nativity scene. Setting up a tree in St. Peter's Square was a tradition started in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. Over the past 26 years the trees have come from different European countries or regions of Italy. This year's tree is from Austria and it is the tallest so far, at 109-foot (33-meter).
Comments (10)
Wonderful photos! I would love to spend Christmas in Rome...one of these years!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Maria!
Posted by sandrac | December 23, 2008 7:47 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 19:47
Oh my - that is beautiful!
Merry Christmas. :)
Posted by Leslie | December 23, 2008 9:23 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 21:23
Merry Christmas!! I love the photo of the presepio in St. Peter's Square. Cool tree photo also. I didn't notice the Basilica in the background at first. I would love to be in Rome or anywhere in Italy someday for Christmas. It must have been magical.
Posted by girasoli | December 23, 2008 11:57 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 23:57
Merry Christmas Maria! This is a wonderful post. How special to be in Rome for Christmas. I love the tradition of getting a Christmas tree from a different European Country each year.
Thank you so much for all of your kind comments throughout the year and for all of your tips which made my Spain trip such a great success this year!
I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year Maria!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | December 24, 2008 5:52 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 05:52
Happy holidays Maria! I hope that your and your family have a wonderful time filled with many blessings. Christmas in Rome must have been so very special!
Posted by Annie | December 24, 2008 9:53 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 09:53
What wonderful memories to have of a special Christmas in Rome. Merry Christmas to you and your family also.
Posted by marta | December 24, 2008 2:08 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 14:08
Buon Natale to my sorella unica.
Blessings during this season.
Much love to all,
Your favorite brother,
Miguel
Posted by Miguel | December 24, 2008 8:54 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 20:54
Have a wonderful Christmas - all the best in 2009!
Posted by Jerry | December 25, 2008 5:15 AM
Posted on December 25, 2008 05:15
Hi Maria, Hope you had a very nice Christmas celebration with your family. My sis is in town and we will be leaving in a bit, but I just wanted to stop in to say Have a Very Wonderful and Happy New Year! Thank you so much for everything, your tips, your encouragements and for sharing your very special family vacation stories in Spain.
I'm so looking forward to hearing more about your trips to Venice, Spain and Morocco in 2009!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | December 27, 2008 7:28 AM
Posted on December 27, 2008 07:28
Kathy, thank you for such a lovely and sweet message. I'll post my answer and my best wishes for the New Year on the comment section of your blog.
Posted by Maria I. | December 29, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted on December 29, 2008 17:48