Christmas Selection Box # 14

THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS

To some people
They can cause distress
But there is a sentiment
I‘d like to express
Sprouts are for life
Not just for Christmas

A CAROL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY – THE ROCKING CAROL

Little Jesus sweetly sleep, do not stir,
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,

Little Jesus sweetly sleep, just you stick,
We will lend you man made fabric,
We wont rock you, rock you, rock you,
We wont rock you, as were not qualified

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 3

The Cricket on the Hearth. A Fairy Tale of Home
The Cricket on the Hearth. A Fairy Tale of Home was the third of the Christmas novella written by Charles Dickens and published in 1845
The Cricket of the story constantly chirps on the hearth and acts as the Peerybingles family guardian angel.
At the start of the tale a mysterious elderly stranger comes to visit and takes up lodging at Peerybingle's house for a few days.
The villain of the piece is the miser Tackleton who is on the eve of marrying Edward Plummer's sweetheart, May.
Edward having gone off to South America and was believed to be dead leaving May at the mercy of Tackleton who she did not love.
During the course of the story the miser does his best to cause mischief but in the end, the mysterious lodger is revealed to be none other than Edward who has returned home in disguise.
And in the best traditions of dickens all ends well.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 11

Twas the night before Christmas
And all around the Crescent
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a peasant

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Three weeks before Christmas, workaholic accountant Peter Brockman (Jason Gedrick) is dumped by his fiancée, Jill Crosby (Cindy Sampson), because of his non participation in their lives.
He metaphorically drowns his sorrows, drinking a soda, in a piano bar and gets talking with the lounge's "volunteer" pianist and singer Bob (Tyrone Benskin) who plays for tips.
They discuss their love of music and forgotten dreams of youth.
Bob invited Peter to his home for dinner with his family, but his home turned out to be a homeless shelter run by Sister Agatha (Rhea Perlman) and his family were a group of homeless men.
After being introduced to Bobs “family” a jam session ensued.
His visit to the home served as an epiphany and he suggested they form a choir in order that the men could raise a little extra pocket money for the holidays.
The choir faced many obstacles along the way and there were many ups and downs.
Alongside his work with the choir he also met Marilyn (Marianne Farley) who worked in the subway kiosk and a relationship develops between them and she is also instrumental in reconciling Peter with his alcoholic father Henry Brockman (Michael Sarrazin).
This is a very nice Holiday tale which is based on a true story and is most enjoyable.

LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU # 1

Last Christmas, I gave you a scarf
But the very next week
You said “it was so last year”
Bloody cheek

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 33 AWAY IN A MANGER

Away In a Manger
Music written by James R. Murray 1887
Lyrics unknown

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us in heaven, to live with Thee there.

ARE YOU WEARING SILVER TINSEL?

Are you wearing Silver tinsel?
Tied amidst your lustrous curls
It makes you look so beautiful
And more like an angel than a girl

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 18

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 Eighteenth selection.

Merry Christmas Everybody
Music & lyrics by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea
Performed by Slade

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?
It's the time that every Santa has a ball
Does he ride a red nosed reindeer?
Does a 'ton up' on his sleigh
Do the fairies keep him sober for a day?

Chorus:
So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun
Are you waiting for the family to arrive?
Are you sure you got the room to spare inside?
Does your granny always tell ya that the old songs are the best?
Then she's up and rock 'n' rollin' with the rest

Chorus:
So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun
What will your daddy do
When he sees your Mama kissin' Santa Claus?
Ah ah
Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?
Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall?
Do you ride on down the hillside in a buggy you have made?
When you land upon your head then you've been slayed

Chorus (3x)
So here it is merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun

CHRISTMAS FLOWER

The Christmas flower
Festively untypical
Having poisonous milk
And being tropical
But scarlet petal-like leaves
Make them appear more topical