Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Christmas Choir" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Ever since the angels in heaven sang "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," mankind has hailed the birth of Christ through song. Now, centuries later, people everywhere still love singing Christmas carols. A beautiful contribution to the holiday season, Christmas carols have been handed down from generation to generation. Ironically, one of the most beautiful of all carols grew from a disappointment. A few days before Christmas, it was discovered that the organ in a tiny Austrian town was ruined by mice who had eaten part of the bellows. Later, while walking in the faint light of night, the parish priest, Father Josef Mohr, gloried at the vast stillness and beauty of nature, and thought that the silent, holy night of Christ's birth in Bethlehem must have been a similar evening. Thus, touched by the majesty of the wide open spaces, he wrote the now-famous words of Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Since the organ would not work, a guitarist composed the music and accompanied him as he sang the echoing strains to his congregation. Countless other carols have since been composed and sung by individuals and choirs throughout the world. Image Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Overall Size: 29.5 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B10665)