Stocking Stuffers # 4

CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS

Christmas, Christmas,
A time of peace and joy
When God gave us his son
Jesus the holy infant boy
But kids don’t think of Jesus
They just want the latest toy

Christmas, Christmas,
When God gave us a saviour
A redeemer for all the world
Now it is the season of plethora
When the rich can feel richer
And the poor just feel the poorer

Christmas, Christmas,
God was your sacrifice in vain
When you gave the world your son
Only to see his body slain
If only we had not lost our way
Will we be better when he comes again?

ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1976

Takeo Fukuda became the Japanese premier.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

It's Christmas break and the sorority sisters are making plans for the upcoming holiday But their Christmas spirit is diminished by strange anonymous phone calls, before one of the sisters, Clare, disappears. But when they report it to the police their concerns are dismissed.
While all this is going on another Sister Jess (Olivia Hussey) is planning to get an abortion much against the wishes of her boyfriend Peter played by Keir Dullea.
Could he possibly be behind the crank calls and the disappearance?
The police finally share the girls concerns when a 13-year-old girl is found dead in the park and they wiretap the sorority house.
The tension is palpable as you wait to see if the girls will outlast the killer.
But Margot Kidder who plays the Barb, the drunken sister with the inappropriate turn of phrase, steals the show in this enjoyable if unconventional Christmas tale.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS # 3

I only want one Christmas gift
It’s the only Christmas wish I’ve wished
I just want to know all the names
Of the girls on the naughty list

BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 5

Quite a few singers have had their first releases on Christmas day
In 1912 it was Tony Martin, 1932 rock and roll legend Little Richard, singer, songwriter Jimmy Buffett in 1946 two years later in 1948 it was the turn of actress and singer Barbara Mandrell. UB40 singer and guitarist Robin Campbell was born on Christmas day 1954 as was Annie Lennox, singer with the Eurythmics, then on the holy day in 1971 it was the singer Dido.

THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

In an Ethiopian Christmas gift giving plays a very small part in the festivities.
Ethiopian Children will receive a present but it is something very simple and is more often or not an item of clothing.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE WORKHOUSE # 1

It’s Christmas Eve in the workhouse,
And not a hint of the seasons in sight
No stockings hang by the fire side
They’ll be no treats in store tonight

ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1974

Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, Australia causing unprecedented damage.

CHRISTMAS SCENE

Snow blankets the ground
Lights twinkle and flash and chase
Reds, blues, white
From Chimney pot
To garden gate
Lights of every hue
And a five foot plastic Winnie the Pooh
Santa’s, elves and reindeer
Stand guard on front lawns
Neon signs point the way for Santa
A typical scene now you might think
Could be anywhere in the world
The only thing to give away the location
Is the fact it’s still November
So welcome to
Christmas in Chav land

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 15

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my fifteenth selection.

"Christmas Dream" written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice with German lyrics by Andre Heller and Performed by Perry Como & The London Boy Singers

Watch me now, here I go, all I need’s a little snow!
Starts me off, sets the theme,
helps me dream my Christmas dream,
Every year I dream it, hoping things will change,
An end to the crying, the shouting, the dying,
And I hope you will dream it too!
It’s Christmas,
Remember?
We’ve got to remember!

So, light the light, I’m home tonight,
I need you to warm me, to calm me, to love me!
To help me to dream my Christmas dream!

Crazy things, said an’ done,
Every single day but one!
Every night should, I believe,
Be the same as Christmas Eve,
Nights should all be silent,
Days should all slow down,
An end to the hurry, the noise and the worry!
And I hope you believe that too!
It’s Christmas,
Remember?
Does no one remember?

The whole world needs, a Christmas dream,
We need it to warm us, to calm us, to love us . . .
To help us to dream our Christmas dream!

Lüge dirigiert die Welt, Ehrlichkeit bringt selten Geld,
Jeder möcht' Sieger sein, wer verliert bleibt ganz allein;
Doch manch Will' ist möglich durch die Fantasie
Du stirbst um zu leben und nimmst um zu geben;)
Einmal im Jahr wird alles wahr
Zu Weihnacht vergiss nicht,
Vergiss es gewiss nicht.

The whole world needs, a Christmas dream,
We need it to warm us, to calm us, to love us . . .
We need it to warm us, to calm us, to love us . . .
We need it to warm us, to calm us, to love us . . .
To help us to dream our Christmas dream!

CHRISTMAS HILL PARK

Christmas Hill Park is near Gilroy, California and boasts a large amphitheater and an extensive network of paved and dirt trails for bikes and walkers alike.

WATCH OUT

Watch out, watch out
There’s a letch about
He’s stalked you all year long
Amidst the office throng
Watch out for Mr. Ross
Your lecherous boss
Who’s been waiting all year long
With a desire so strong
Watch out, watch out
There’s a letch about
Who wants to hold you in embrace
And kiss your pretty face
Watch out for Mr. Ross
Your lecherous boss
As he looks at you all agog
Intent upon a snog
So when old Mr. Ross
Your lecherous boss
Grabs you under the mistletoe
Just tell him where to go

ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1971

The Worst hotel fire in history killed 163 people at the Taeyokale Hotel in the South Korean capital Seoul.

THE VIRGIN MARTYR

St Lucia was a virgin martyr and one of the most illustrious figures in the Christian world she was honored in Rome during the 6th century and her relics are preserved in Venice.

IFS AND BUTS

If ifs, and buts and maybes
Were chocs and nuts and candies
Then you would have to concede
You’d have a wonderful Christmas indeed

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 16

ZITHER CAROL Lyrics written by Sir Malcolm Sargent to Traditional Bohemian Music

Girls and boys - Leave your toys - Make no noise
Kneel at his crib and worship him
At thy shrine - Child divine - We are thine
Our Savior's here

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
All must draw near

On that day - Far away - Jesus lay
Angels were watching 'round his head
Holy Child - Mother mild - Undefiled
We sing thy praise

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
Our hearts we raise

Shepherds came - At the fame - Of thy name
Angels their guide to Bethlehem
In that place - Filled with grace - Saw thy face
Stood at the door

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
Love evermore

Wise men too - Haste to do - Homage new
Gold, myrrh and frankincense they bring
As 'twas said - Starlight led - To thy bed
Bending their knee

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
Worshipping thee

Oh, that we - All might be - Good as he
Spotless, with God in unity
Savior dear - Ever near - With us here
Since life began

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
God head made man

Cherubim - Seraphim - Worship him
Sun, moon and stars proclaim his power
Every day - On our way - we shall say
Hallelujah

Chorus:
"Hallelujah" the church bells ring
"Hallelujah" the angels sing
"Hallelujah" from everything
Hallelujah

CHRISTMAS DAYS

Christmas days
Holidays
Spiritual and Holy days
Christmas days
Holidays
Mistletoe and holly days
Christmas days
Holidays
Candy canes and lolly days
Christmas days
Holidays
Spiritual and Holy days
Christmas days
Holidays
Jovial and Jolly days

SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM ANCIENT LANDS

Latin
Natale hilare et Annum Faustum
Low Saxon
Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Occitan (medieval Southern France)
Pulit nadal e bona annado
Persia (Farsi)
Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Rhetian (Of the Rhetian Alps now Tyrol)
Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn

ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1896

John Philip Sousa wrote "Stars & Stripes Forever".

COUNT ON IT

If you are constantly worrying
About over indulging
During the festive season
Then there really is no reason
It is a well known fact you see
That you can fully enjoy the festivities
And relax and not stress or fuss
Because calories don't count at Christmas