This final window of the Advent calendar — on the morning of Christmas Eve — is open to the entire Cottage community.

Today’s offering features award-winning singer-songwriter Solveig Leithaug, who has recorded eighteen solo albums. Solveig lives in Nashville, but she is Norwegian born and raised — and is sometimes called the “Amy Grant of Norway.”

Those of you who have been with us at Southern Lights have seen her perform. Today, she sings “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” with words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow written in the middle of the American Civil War.

And in despair I bowed my head;"There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Till ringing, singing on its way,The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Solveig’s website is www.solveigmusic.com. Please check out her music and enjoy!

We’ve come to the end of Advent. Christmas is tomorrow.

Thank you for being part of this year’s Advent calendar. I hope you’ve been blessed, challenged, and renewed by the many remarkable authors and artists who so willingly shared their insights and hopes with The Cottage community this Advent season.

It has been an amazing journey of creativity and joy.

What a gift.

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