Christmas at the Met



Every year I promise myself that I am going to go to Manhattan and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art at Christmas.

Yesterday I went into New York for the day and spent most of my time at the museum. When I lived on the upper East side of NYC, I went there all the time. Not only were the exhibits beautiful, but some of the galleries I once visited brought back some lovely memories.

When I reached the room that held the magnificent Christmas tree, I was moved.



The music a choir of angels played as hundreds of people gathered around the most magnificent nativity that I have ever seen.



The tree is covered with the most exquisite angels. The Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche was my favorite display of all the museum galleries. The photographs in this post are from the brochure that is available on-line at the museum's web site. If you click HERE, you can read about the history of the collection and the collector.



When I left the museum for a walk through my old neighborhood, it had started to snow. The magic of the snow falling against the many Christmas lights and decorations was perfect. The entrances to apartment buildings and brownstones were decorated in magnificent wreaths and garland.



Shop windows held all the magic of the season, and I enjoyed the fashion that only New York boasts. Women were dressed in beautiful coats, as they walked their dogs wearing fashionable dog sweaters. Young women pushed beautiful prams iced with beautiful blankets to keep their babies warm. Couples snuggled closer to keep warm, as they walked down the streets peeking into shop windows and holding cups of hot chocolate.



I walked from 82nd Street down Madison Avenue until 52nd Street, just like I did when I was a young girl. Walking in NYC is so interesting that you hardly notice how far you are actually walking.

Skating at Rockefeller CenterI continued walking down on Fifth Avenue to enjoy the store windows and to visit the tree at Rockefeller Center. This year's tree is lovely and it just seemed to suit the mood in our country this Christmas. If you would like to see some nice photographs of this year's tree, you can click HERE.



It was pretty and festive enough, but perhaps just a bit more simple.



As I watched the ice skaters skate to the music of Josh Groban, singing Thankful, on this perfect Christmas scene, I was thankful too.



Thankful for the lovely memories from many Christmas times spent in New York. Thankful for the memory making of this Christmas, and for abundance in my life. I looked up at the tree and thanked God for all the blessings of my life, and for painting such a lovely day.



I want to leave you with a special gift today. Nothing moves me more than a little child, and I had the good fortune of discovering a little artist named Jordan Cook. She is just eight years old and paints beautifully. She paints wonderful spiritual messages with paint and with words. Here are some words that Jordan painted to inspire us, click HERE and expect to cry, smile and have your heart warmed with her inspiring words. Jordan's gallery shows her paintings from age two until today.




The song for this post is Thankful by Josh Groban.
ShabbyInTheCity said...

Wonderfully Christmasy! So glad you got to go and commit it all to memory! NYC is quite a place at Christmas!

Vee said...

How delicious! I won't be visiting NYC any year soon so I loved being taken along with you. You helped me see it with new eyes and I loved every minute. I followed your links and you selected the very best photos!

Kathleen said...

You painted the perfect Christmas picture with your words. For a moment I thought I was there...thank you so much, Hugs, Kathleen

Lisa Kettell said...

I love the Met and Christmas Time in NYC, I just was there last week, going back again this weekend! So beautiful this time of year!
Hopefully we can meet up when you come to NYC sometime!
Magic and Much Joy!
XO!
LISA!

Anonymous said...

THIS IS LIKE A MOVIE.HOW LOVELY THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY BE THERE...ANN

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing that experience with me! It looks like a winter wonderful-land! :)

Teri said...

What a gorgeous place! Thank you from those of us who have never (and may never) seen it.

MaygreenFairies said...

Looking at your photo's takes me back a few years when I visited NYC at Christmas Time, it was so magical, I have very fond memories of my trip. Lovely blog. Mandy x

LiLi M. said...

This is wonderful! I still have to visit the links, but this is so beautiful already. We are going to visit New York in spring, but when I see your photos I have to go there before Christmas too! Thanks for sharing!

Charlene said...

Oh thank you so much for sharing this. The photos are so special. I just want to keep each one to look at over & over. It has probably been 15 years or more since I have been to NY at Christmas. I need to fix that don't I? Thank you for prompting me. Happy Holiday.

Tara said...

Karen

What a great day you had! I was in the city, too, around 30th moving my son frm one dorm to another...the night was gorgeous! The city holds special awe during the holiday season!

Kathleen Grace said...

I have never been to New York, you make it look like the place to be though:>) I would love to see the Metropolitan Museum. I always try to hit the museums wherever I go. Love them!

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Karen; I felt like I was there with you on your walk. I really enjoyed all the sites and beautiful photos, thank you...

Merry Christmas

Hugs;
Alaura

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Miss Karen, how oh how I wish I was with you on that magical little dreamscape of yours!! And creche? be still my heart!!

And snow, and New York, and again, dreamscape!!!

Off to look at the young artistes work!!

Thank you for sharing magical New York at this time of the year!! xoxo

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Oh what beutiful sights and sounds. What a wonderful way to spend a day. I know you are busy getting ready for CHRISTmas...Blessings...m..

Anonymous said...

Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories of my life in NYC, Karen! This is the time of year that I miss the city ... I always said that New York shines during the holidays. When I lived there I loved visiting the Met as often as I could. I miss the tree at Rockefeller Centre, the ice rink, Central Park and of course, Macy's Herald Square!

I'm off on a blogging break over the holidays but wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

See you next year!

xo,
Lynda

Anonymous said...

Wow!
Thank you so much for sharing photos,magic and enchantment.You really made my Xmas..I am homebound because of illness and do not celebrate Xmas anymore..no family.I had a plethora of friends before illness but..lost them all.Thank God for cyberspace!
You really warmed my heart and my spirit!

Blessings and Happy Holidays xxoo Denise

Jane O' said...

The tour of New York city through your eyes was truly magical. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos!

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

WOW! Love all the pictures! Thank you for sharing with us. Merry Christmas! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

KAREN....I AM LOVING YOUR POSTS. I wanted you to come by and see my post http://ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com/2008/12/holiday-home-tour.html where I posted about your free gift, that I printed off on photo paper, and framed. Karen it looks sosooo beautiful and I am so happy with it. Thanks for dropping by my blog the other day and telling me about your free gift. I for one am so grateful and happy for it! You made my day!
Merry Christmas
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Karen, this post is just beautiful. I know New York is magical during Christmas.

And, Jordan is amazing. What an incredible talent!

paru's_circle said...

just visited your site for the 1st time, louse sent me one of your xmas cards!! so lovely!! NY photos are so awesome!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What a BEAUTIFUL post!!! I just love NYC at the holidays, yet I've never been to a single museum! I am missing out! heehee Your photos are such a delight to behold! Thank you for sharing them and for adding such lovely music!

Glennis said...

How wonderful. thank you for giving us this tour. I miss New York in winter, even though its been over 30 years since I've lived there.

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