O House of Ephratha

Here we are in the Twelve Days of Christmas - and I'm going to post something every day! This season has given birth to so much beautiful music that it's hard to know where to start (and when to stop).

Now it's time for some Orthodox Christmas music from Alaska. Ephratha in the Nativity context refers to Bethlehem. It's also a woman's name and a source of endless confusion as to its location either north or south of Jerusalem. It derives from the Hebrew root for "fruitful" or "to bear fruit." Learn way too much by going here.

In the meantime, just sweep up those pine needles and remember that Christmas has just begun!