Merry Christmas and joy to the world! The hymn, Joy to the World, was written by English hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719, is based on Psalm 98 in the Bible (reference). He actually wrote it for Christ's return to earth, not for his birth (more here). In 1839, Lowell Mason adapted and arranged the music and, as of the late 20th century, Joy to the World was North America's most-published Christmas hymn. It may still be! We hope that, for you and your loved ones, today shapes up to be a day of beauty, joy, and peace. Christmas on a Sunday is especially spiritual..........
For the photo today, we're sharing this metallic globe housed at Bin 33 Restaurant downtown on Elm Street as it reminds us of the carol, Joy to the World. The sculpture weighs about 200 pounds and is approximately 4 1/2 feet in diameter with lights on the inside. According to sculptor Jeff Taylor, he and Eric Beerbower took on this project for New Year's Eve 2010. Once they constructed "The Ball", they used a boom crane to get it in place above Bin 33. At midnight, they lowered it down a cable, from an I-beam, above the balcony on the fifth floor. While they don't have plans (permission) to repeat this feat for New Year's Eve 2011, the glowing artifact remains perched prominently on the patio of Bin 33 for all to enjoy. Once he gets relocated to a new studio, we plan to feature the talented Jeff Taylor*, an artist who can make just about anything.
From our little spot in Greensboro (and on the metal globe) we say "joy to the world" and we encourage you to visit this website to see how to say that phrase in 24 different languages! Perhaps if we say it enough, there will be peace on earth!
If you are interested, contact Jeff through his girlfriend's website.
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