Christmas Selection Box # 18

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

The Christmas cactus
The winter-bloomer
Its jointed flat segments
Look like experiments
Made by a young boy
With a construction set toy
But the rose-purple flowers
Light up the winter hours

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS

After a boy called Justin (Cole and Dylan Sprouse) sees a man in a Santa suit kissing his mother, Stephanie Carver (Connie Sellecca) he thinks that the real Santa Claus wants to replace his father, so he goes on an all-out prank-war with him.
And the poor Santa who bears the brunt of his attacks is Floyd (Sonny Carl Davis).
I think there is something inherently funny in Santa Claus falling on his backside and Floyd does it on a regular basis.
But unknown to Justin the man in the Santa suit kissing his mother was in fact his father David (Corbin Bernsen).
A really fun film.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

The presents look wonderful
Beneath the Christmas tree
The holly and the mistletoe
Are arranged delightfully

The gingerbread men are ready
Cinnamon cookies are fresh baked
The Yule log is ready for cutting
And so is the Christmas cake

Festive cocktails have been mixed
The eggnog will taste sublime
There are traditional winter ales
Or there is always the mulled wine

Then the bells of Christmas ring,
Well the doorbell is ringing
Is that the guest’s arriving?
Or the carollers come singing

Friends and family have arrived
Its time to meet and greet
They have travelled far and near
To see them is such a treat

The mantel dressed with greens
The scent of Christmas fills the air
And all the children rush to see
The stockings hanging there

I love these get-togethers
And when all is said and done
We’re making Christmas memories
So Merry Christmas everyone

ARE YOU WEARING BLUE TINSEL?

Are you wearing blue tinsel?
Tied amidst your lustrous curls
Not a festive hue and yet
You have it amidst the curls
So is it a statement or was it
The only colour you could get

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 51 THE BELLS OF ST MARY’S

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
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 fifty first second selection.

“The Bells of St. Mary's”
Music written by A. Emmett Adams
Lyrics by Douglas Furber

The Bells of St. Mary's
Ah, hear they are calling
The young loves, the true loves
Who come from the sea

And so my beloved
When red leaves are falling
The love bells shall ring out, ring out
For you and me

The Bells of St. Mary's
Ah, hear they are calling
The young loves, the true loves
Who come from the sea

And so my beloved
When red leaves are falling
The love bells shall ring out, ring out
For you and me

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT

I have no need of Christmas
I have no need of memories
I have no desire to make plans
To join in with the festivities

Don’t wish me merry Christmas
I have no need of Christmas cheer
For me it won’t be Christmas
Until my darling wife is here

So save your merry Christmas
Don’t send your jollity my way
Keep the Christmas fizz on ice
Until she’s home on Christmas day

This is for all those whose loved ones have to work on Christmas day.

ARE YOU WEARING GREEN VELVET?

Are you wearing green velvet?
That’s really nice to see
And so fitting for the season
It makes me feel so Christmassy

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 36 I SAW THREE SHIPS (COME SAILING IN)

I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)
English traditional Music and lyrics authorship unknown

I saw three ships comes sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
I saw three ships comes sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning

And what was in these ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in these ships all three
On Christmas Day in the morning?

Our Savior Christ and His Lady
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Our Savior Christ and His Lady
On Christmas Day in the morning

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Pray, wither sailed these ships all three
On Christmas Day in the morning

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas Day in the morning

And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And all the angels in Heaven shall sing
On Christmas Day in the morning
And all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Let us all rejoice on end
On Christmas Day in the morning

ALPHABET OF CHRISTMAS

A is for
Advent, the countdown to Christmas
B is for the
Bells that ring out in celebration
C is for the
Candle that spreads his light
D is for the
Decorations that dress our homes
E is for the
Extra spring in our collective step
F is for
Felicitations and festivities
G is for the
Gift that God gave too us
H is for the
Happiness of the Christmas season
I is for the
Illumination of the world
J is for
Jesus born into that world
K is for the
King, humbly born in a stable
L is for the
Love of Jesus Christ
M is for the
Magi who followed the star
N is for the
Nativity in Bethlehem
O is for
Old acquaintances re-met
P is for the
Presents beneath the tree
Q is for
Quintessence of the Christmas spirit
R is for the
Rejoicing in Christ’s name
S is for the
Star that adorned the Christmas sky
T is for the
Tinsel that adorns the trees
U is for the
Universal love of Christ
V is for the
Victorious celebration of his birth
W is for the
Wise men from the east
X is for
Xmas, the best time of the year
Y is for the
Yuletide season and its joys
Z is for the
Zest of enthusiastic enjoyment

LITTLE CHILD, LONELY CHILD

Little child,
Lonely child,
Face pressed
Against the glass
Breath blooming,
On the window pain
What do you seek?
Outside in the cold
In that bleak winter scene
Do you listen for sleigh bells?
Out in the snow
Is it the man in red?
You wait alone for
Why do you listen?
So intently at the silence
What was that sound?
Out in the cold
Not sleigh bells
No a car door
Now a figure appears
Who is it?
Not the man in red
Little child,
Lonely child,
Is excited now,
Rushes to the door
Its daddy, its daddy
Home at last

Christmas Selection Box # 17

TOO MERRY CHRISTMAS

I made too merry yesterday
I had a splendid day
In Christmas celebration
I indulged in every way
But now my head is splitting
The morning after the play
So I will nurse my head
For all of Boxing Day

CHRISTMAS HOLLY

Christmas Holly
Evergreen tree
Christmas Holly
Leaves are prickly
Cut fresh Holly
Full of red berries
Help to make
The season merry

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry, about a young married couple and the challenge of secretly buying Christmas gifts for each other on a shoestring budget.
It is an endearing and sentimental tale with a moral message about unselfishness and thoughtfulness.

With virtually no money to spend on gifts Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s lovely hair and Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jims watch.
So they end up with useless gifts they cannot use but as a result have given each other the most precious gift in the world, their love.

ARE YOU WEARING GREEN TINSEL?

Are you wearing green tinsel?
Tied around your lustrous curls
Like a goddess of the woods
Are you one of the “nature” girls?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – LOST HOLIDAY: THE JIM & SUZANNE SHEMWELL STORY

This film is based on a true story about an estranged couple who find themselves lost in the Idaho wilderness after in impromptu snowmobile outing.
It was just before Christmas and when the weather turns they are trapped in a blizzard and the snowfall is so great all the trails are hidden.
Lost and alone Suzanne and Jim Shemwell (Jami Gertz and Dylan Walsh) are forced to confront the reasons why they separated.
Meanwhile their family, when they are not looking for Suzanne and Jim, are looking inward at themselves and re-evaluate their lives and their relationships.

CHRISTMAS PICKUP # 2

When you’re on the pull
If you want to break the ice
Say something funny
Or say something nice
Be complimentary
Or just lie in your endeavour
Be devastatingly witty
Or say something clever
Walk up to them and say
“Can I take a picture of you Miss,
So I can show Santa exactly
What I want for Christmas”

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 37 LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

Love Came Down at Christmas
Music by Harold Darke
Lyrics by Christina Rossetti

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

CHRISTMAS NEW BORN

You came into our lives
A fighter and a screamer
Born to us at Christmas
Just like our redeemer

And how we loved you
Right from the very start
But naming you was hard
What name should we impart?

Then like a light coming on
The answer rang like a bell
You were born at Christmas
So we would call you Noelle

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 20

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 twentieth selection.

Christmas All Over Again
Written and performed by Tom Petty

Well it's Christmas time again, decorations are all hung by the fire
Everybody's singin', all the bells are ringing out
And it's Christmas all over again, yeah again

Long-distance relatives, haven't seen'em in a long, long time
Yeah I kind of missed 'em, I just don't wanna kiss 'em, no
It's Christmas all over again, yeah again

And all over town little kids gonna get down
And Christmas is a rockin' time, put your body next to mine
Underneath the mistletoe we go, we go

Everybodys singin', all the bells are ringin' out
It's Christmas all over again, yeah again

And right down our block little kids start to rock
And Christmas is a rockin' time, put your body next to mine
Underneath the mistletoe we go, we go

Merry Christmas time come and find you happy and there by your fire
I hope you have a good one, I hope momma gets her shoppin' done
And it's a Christmas all over again
Baby it's Christmas all over again
And it's Christmas all over again

Now let's see...I want a new Rickenbacker guitar,

CHRISTMAS INDULGENCE

We spend the day
Eating more than we should
Turkey and trimmings
And rich Christmas pud
Mince pies and cream
Great petite fours
Pretzels and nuts
Wines and liqueurs
Cookies and marzipan
Chocolate Yule log
Rich Christmas cake
And creamy eggnog
Chocolate Orange
Chocolate Brazils
Hot Bombay mix
Twiglets and Pringles
Sweet candied fruits
Sugar coated almonds
Cold turkey sandwich,
Till I’m suitably rotund

Christmas Selection Box # 16

CHRISTMAS BERRY

The Christmas berry
Evergreen and spiny
With flowers of every hue
From white to blue
With abundant berries
Bright red as cherries

A CAROL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY – WE THREE KINGS

We three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Beer and liqueur
CD and voucher
Following yonder star

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 5

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, A Fancy for Christmas-Time

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, A Fancy for Christmas-Time was written by Charles Dickens.
It’s perhaps more often known as The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain or even just as The Haunted Man.
It was the fifth and final Christmas novella and was first published in 1848.
It is more a story about the spirit of Christmas than about Christmas itself, in the same style as A Christmas Carol, the first in the series of Christmas books.
But instead of Ebeneezer Scrooge the story centres on a Professor Redlaw and those close to him.
Redlaw, a teacher of chemistry is an embittered man who often broods over wrongs done him and grief from his past life.
He is haunted by a spirit, who takes away all of his grief and sorrows but without them he develops uncontrollable anger and bitterness as he interacts with those from in his sphere.
The moral of the tale is that you have to remember past sorrows and wrongs done to you and forgive those responsible.
The novel concludes with everyone back to normal and Redlaw, like Ebenezer, a changed man.

ARE YOU WEARING RED TINSEL?

Are you wearing red tinsel?
Tied amidst your lustrous curls
Red can be a devilish colour
So are you a devilish kind of girl?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS

This is a variation on the classic “Miracle On 34th Street” which has Santa facing a class-action suit for disappointing children at Christmas.
As a result he hires, widower and single parent, Michael Sherman (Dean Cain) as his lawyer. He chose Michael in order to both defend the lawsuit and to give Santa the chance to bring Michael out of his emotional malaise.
Although it doesn’t in anyway live up to “Miracle On 34th Street” it is still a very enjoyable piece of Christmas entertainment.
Santa is portrayed exceptionally well by George Buza while the love interest Lauren, (Rachel Blanchard) is an absolute delight.
Also the hero’s daughter Lily Sherman (Helen Colliander) gives a particularly mature performance.
All round it is an excellent movie although the Elves are a little annoying.

LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU # 3

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart,
But I’m sorry to say,
That your gift to me
Was chlamydia

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 52 BLUE CHRISTMAS

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
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 fifty second selection.

"Blue Christmas"
Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson
Performed by Elvis Presley

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you're not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That's when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas

[Instrumental]

You’ll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas

CHRISTMAS ARRIVAL

So what should we name you?
On such an auspicious day
It must be a fitting name
And chosen in a respectful way

We couldn’t name you Jesus
That just wouldn’t fit
You couldn’t go thru life
Named Jesus Schmitt
And anyway you’re a girl
So we named you Kit

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 35 CANDLELIGHT CAROL

Candlelight Carol
Music and lyrics written by John Rutter

How do you capture the wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How do you measure the love of a mother
Or how can you write down a baby's first cry?

Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Silent night, holy night, all is calm and all is bright
Angels are singing; the Christ child is born

Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him
Seraphim round him their vigil will keep
Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Saviour
But Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep

Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Silent night, holy night, all is calm and all is bright
Angels are singing; the Christ child is born

Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger
Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay
Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation
A child with his mother that first Christmas Day

Candlelight, angel light, firelight and star-glow
Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn
Silent night, holy night, all is calm and all is bright
Angels are singing; the Christ child is born

CHRISTMAS PICKUP # 1

When you’re on the pull
If you want to break the ice
Say something funny
Or say something nice
Be complimentary
Or just lie in your endeavour
Be devastatingly witty
Or say something clever
During the Christmas season
Walk up to them and say
“They call me Jingle Bells
Because I go all the way”

Christmas Selection Box # 15

A CAROL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY – RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows,
All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names,
They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.
(Now I don’t want you to think it was because he was a freak
The simple truth is Rudolph was a really anti social little bastard)

ARE YOU WEARING GOLDEN TINSEL?

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

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 4

The Battle of Life: A Love Story

The Battle of Life: A Love Story is Christmas novella number four by Charles Dickens, first published in 1846.
It is set in an English village that stands on the site of a historic battle.
Some characters refer to the battle as a metaphor for the struggles of life, hence the title.
Uniquely it is the only one of the five Christmas Books that has no religious of supernatural themes and is ostensibly a love story for two sisters, Grace and Marion.
As is typical with Dickens however the ending is a happy one.

LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU # 2

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart,
But I’m sorry to say,
You really
Needed a kidney

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – WILL YOU MERRY ME?

Despite the silly title it’s actually a very enjoyable film.
It’s about Rebecca Fine (Vikki Krinsky) a Jewish girl. From an upper class Los Angeles family and Henry Kringle (Tommy Lioutas), from a choir-singing, church going, dyed in the wool traditionalist family from the Midwest who are in love.
Not only that they become engaged just before Christmas and as a result the Fine’s agree to delay their vacation in Aspen and meet the Kringle’s the week of Hanukah just before Christmas in Madison, Wisconsin.
Which is when the humour really starts as the two cultures collide and despite both sides good intentions and their trying to respect each other’s' traditions, it turns out to be a bumpy ride.
The film is definitely at its funniest when the main protagonists, Suzie Fine (Wendie Malick) and Marilyn Kringle (Cynthia Stevenson) butt antlers.
Very enjoyable and well worth a watch you will soon forget the silly title.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 12

Twas the night before Christmas
And all thru the bungalow
not a creature was stirring
In the firelight glow

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 34 I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
Music by Johnny Marks
Lyrics written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

CHRISTMAS GREEN

The Christmas green
Festively untypical
It’s just a club moss
With creeping stems
Similar to ferns
With erect branches
It has no scarlet hues
Nor star shaped flowers
It’s quite unremarkably
Just another evergreen

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 19

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 nineteenth selection.

In Dulci Jubilo
Music by Mike Oldfield, Lyrics by M. Oldfield / W. Murray

Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born to-day;
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to-day!
Christ is born to-day!
Good Christian men, rejoice,

With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath oped the heavenly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice,

With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

WHEN MY LITTLE DOG’S SETTLE DOWN

When my little dog’s settle down
On Christmas Eve amidst the snores
The little doggies dream like a child
And they dream about Santa Paws

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

Christmas Selection Box # 13

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOODWILL TO ALL MEN

“Merry Christmas
And goodwill to all men”
Does that irritate you?
I’m not alone then
The men have done nothing,
Remember
Since the final BBQ
Back in September
It’s the mums
Who spend the whole of December
With everything to do
And everything to remember
While they sit
TV remote in hand drinking beer
Where is the mums well deserved
Christmas cheer
Why can’t we sit down?
On our overworked bums
“Merry Christmas
And goodwill to all mums”

A CAROL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY - AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger
No crib for a bed …
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
I don’t think it matters
How gently you sing
Social services don’t care
For this kind of thing

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 2

The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In
The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, by Charles Dickens was published in 1844 and was the second in his series of "Christmas books":
The chimes are the old bells in the church on whose steps the principle character, Trotty Veck, plies his trade.
During the course of the story Trotty loses his faith in man's destiny to improve and as a result the bells call to him in the night and he feels compelled to climb the bell tower.
Once in the bell chamber the spirits of the bells and their goblin attendants reprimand him and tell him that he actually fell to his death on his climb up.
He is then forced to watch a series of visions of his daughter Meg and those closest to him and finds himself helpless to intervene.
The final vision was of his daughter Meg poised to jump into the river whereupon he cries out that he has learned his lesson and finds himself able to touch her and prevent her from jumping.
With the conclusion of that vision Trotty finds himself awakening at home as the bells ring in the New Year as if from a vivid dream.
The book concludes with the customary happy ending.

ON THE EVE OF THE SPECIAL DAY # 2

On the eve of the special day
As the fire burns in the grate
I long for eternal goodwill
And an end to eternal hate

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE MARCH SISTERS AT CHRISTMAS

Having long been a fan of Louisa May Alcott's classic “Little Women”, I approached this modern retelling of the tale with some trepidation.
But the March Sisters at Christmas is a pleasantly surprising adaptation and has been brought to modern times quite sympathetically.
In order to keep the family home from being sold, the four very modern March sisters, Jo (Julie Marie Berman), Meg (Kaitlin Doubleday), Beth (Melissa Farman) and Amy (Molly Kunz) must tackle home improvement on their own while their romantic entanglements involving the boy next door Teddy Lawrence (Justin Bruening), an old flame John Brooke (Charlie Hofheimer) and a new acquaintance Marcus Baer (Mark Famiglietti) become a distraction.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE ONE I LOVE # 2

Though my love for Christ is boundless
On Christmas day I cannot be untrue
For my love for you is over flowing
And he must share my heart with you

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 28 THE FRIENDLY BEASTS

The Friendly Beasts
Old English Christmas Carol writer unknown

Jesus our brother, kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

"I," said the cow, all white and red
"I gave Him my manger for a bed;
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head."
"I," said the cow, all white and red.

"I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the sheep with curly horn.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"Cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

"I," said the camel, yellow and black,
"Over the desert, upon my back,
I brought Him a gift in the Wise Men's pack."
"I," said the camel, yellow and black.

Thus every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel,
The gift he gave Emmanuel.

LISTEN ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

On Christmas morning
While tree tops still glisten
If you stop opening presents
And take a moment to listen

You will hear a sound
Unmistakable, clear and true
The sound of Love
Will be in the room with you

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 17

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 seventeenth selection.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” written by Mariah Carey and performed by The Puppini Sisters

All I Want For Christmas Is You –
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeers click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Ooh baby
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is...
You

DEPARTMENT STORE SANTA

Against my better judgement
I took my young son to the store
And we queued up for an hour
So he could see Santa Claus

The grotto was cheap and nasty
It was a terrible site to behold
I thought the whole thing a rip off
And my son thought he was too old

Santa’s little helper was pregnant
The head Elf was high as a kite
But I thought if we stayed in line
Every thing would turn out alright

Well he climbed onto Santa’s lap
To tell him his Christmas wish
But Santa smelled of whisky
And his trousers smelled of piss

It was about making memories
Well, according to my wife
But instead of a memorable visit
I think we scarred him for life

Christmas Selection Box # 12

A CAROL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY – LITTLE DONKEY

Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road,
Got to keep on plodding onwards, with your precious load.
- Stuff that cant we get the bus?

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 1

A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol was the first of the Christmas novellas by Charles Dickens, first published on 19 December 1843.
It’s the oft told story of the sour and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge's route to redemption through the supernatural visits from Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas’s Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

21st CENTURY NURSERY RHYMES # 191

Christmas is coming,
The stores are getting fat
But no one has put a penny
In this old mans hat;
There’s not a single penny,
Or a ha'penny to be seen,
I hate Christmas shoppers
They’re so bloody mean

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SANTA BABY

Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) is a highly successful business executive - who just happens to be the daughter of Santa Claus (George Wendt).
But when her father falls ill, Mary returns to the North Pole and the life she left behind to take over from her Dad and implement her innovative ideas for running Christmas.
While she’s there she is reunited with her high school sweetheart Luke Jessup (Ivan Sergei) and their feelings are rekindled but when she’s put in charge of Christmas and starts implementing her modern idea’s things get out of hand and even threatens Christmas itself.

WE THREE KINGS

We three Kings
Of Orient are
- not part of a meritocracy

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 27 STAR CAROL

Star Carol Written By John Rutter

Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem,
Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies;
Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle,
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

See his star shining bright
In the sky this Christmas Night!
Follow me joyfully;
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory,
Bear the news with its message of good cheer:
“Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us,
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!”

Let us pay our homage at the manger,
Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night;
Christ is come, bringing promises of salvation;
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

CANDLELIGHT

Across the distant lonely miles
There stands my love
With comrades brave
Who stands beneath a Christmas sky
Singing carols just as I
Familiar carols
And sentiments we share.
Of course it’s Christmas,
That makes me wish you near
And makes me wipe away a tear
I pray to God to keep you safe
To wrap you in his loving light
Now the bells of Christmas fill the air
And I think of my love standing there
Underneath the Christmas sky.
In the church I keep a candle lit
That will burn while we’re apart
And my undying love for him
Will keep burning in my heart

ANOTHER OLD FOLKS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Another old folks Christmas party
Old friends well met, hail and hearty
Thoughts of the past would produce a tear
But a shared memory brought some cheer
And while remembering the good old days
A glass they would all gladly raise

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 16

Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
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 sixteenth selection.

"Mele Kalikimaka (The Hawaiian Christmas Song)"
Written by Robert Alex Anderson Performed by KT Tunstall

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say "Merry Christmas to you."

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say "Merry Christmas to you."

CHRISTMAS (ACROSTIC)

Candles burn on advent crown,
Holly boughs are cut,
Red ribbon binds the wreath, and
Incense fragrances the air
Spices make the senses tingle
Treats await the patient lip, as
Merriment is close at hand,
Anticipation keenly felt, as the
Special day grows near

Christmas Selection Box # 11

I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS # 2

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know
But to be honest I drink so much
I won’t even notice if it snows

THE BEST CHRISTMAS BOOKS EVER - THE POLAR EXPRESS

The Polar Express was written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg and published in 1985.
The book is partially set in the author's home town, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and takes place in 1956.
It begins when a young boy, who used to love Christmas, but now doubts, hears a train whistle outside his house and to his amazement, he finds the train has stopped and is waiting for him.
The conductor explains the train is called the Polar Express, and is journeying to the North Pole. Still wearing his night clothes the boy reluctantly boards the train, which is filled with chocolate and candy, as well as many other children in their pyjamas.
After an adventurous journey the train reaches the North Pole and at the centre of town thousands of elves are waiting to send Santa Claus on his way.
The boy is handpicked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas.
Realizing that he could choose anything in the world, he asks for one bell from one of the reindeer's harnesses.
Santa gives him the bell and he places in the pocket of his robe but later, on the train ride home, it falls through a hole in his pocket and is lost.
But on Christmas morning, his sister finds a small package under the tree, behind all of the other gifts.
And when the boy opened it he discovered that it was the bell, delivered by Santa who had found it on the seat of his sleigh.
When the boy rang the bell he and his sister revelled in the sweet sound.
Their parents of course were unable to hear it because they did not believe.

21st CENTURY NURSERY RHYMES # 182

Father Christmas, Father Christmas,
Got an itch, Got an itch;
Coming down the chimney,
Coming down the chimney;
On his snitch, On his snitch.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE ONE I LOVE # 1

Merry Christmas sweetheart, the one I love,
On this day when love is keenest felt,
The day when closed minds are opened
And even the coldest hearts can melt

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – NAUGHTY OR NICE

Krissy Kringle (Hilarie Burton) dislikes Christmas intently, mainly because she’s had to go through life with the name Krissy Kringle.
But she also suffered the indignity of having her street renamed “Candy Cane Lane” as a result of her name and the street name she gets regular deliveries of Christmas mail.
This particular year however was worse than normal when she is fired from the Ad Agency where she works instead of getting the promotion she was expecting and is forced to take a job as a present wrapper at the Mall and must dress as an Elf.
When she arrives home and forces open her front door, amidst the mountain of Christmas mail she finds a special delivery intended for Santa Claus, the Naughty or Nice book which he had left behind while visiting a child.
Krissy uses the power of the book to expose the naughty deeds of those around her, but soon finds that her newfound power can have devastating results.
Gabriel Tigerman is excellent as Krissie’s partner in crime at the Mall, Marco Webb and Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter put in a convincing performances as her parents Walter and Carol Kringle.

CHRISTMAS DREAM # 4

I dream of Christmas
Warming us from winters chill
When hearts are overflowing
With seasonal good will

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 29 O CHRISTMAS TREE (O TANNENBAUM)

O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
Traditional German Carol Writer unknown

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
The sight of thee at Christmastide
spreads hope and gladness far and wide
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
Thou dost proclaim the Saviour's birth
Good will to men and peace on earth
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
Your boughs are green in summer's glow
And do not fade in winter's snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your presence here enhances
Your silver star does glisten bright
Reflecting all the candlelight
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
On Christmas Day you stand so tall
Affording joy to one and all
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety

CHRISTMAS FOLLY REVISITED

I have no need of jollity
Or happy yuletide fare
I have no Christmas gift to wrap
There’s no one here to share

I have no time for Christmas
Just the time to reminisce
I have no need of mistletoe
Because she’s not here to kiss

So I will spend the time alone
On a lonely Christmas day
But I have no need of sympathy
Because I let her slip away

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 33 - JINGLE BELL ROCK

Jingle Bell Rock
Written By Joe Beal
Performed By Hilary Duff

Jingle bell, jingle bell
Jingle bell rock
Jingle bell swing
And jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin'
Up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell
Jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in
Jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin'
In jingle bell square
In the frosty air

What a bright time
It's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell, time
Is a swell time
To go glidin' in a
one horse sleigh

Giddy-up, jingle horse
Pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and mingle
In a jinglin' beat
That's the jingle bell rock

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED - SAFELY

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
An inspector from the HSE came down
And he quickly wore a frown

Christmas Selection Box # 10

21st CENTURY NURSERY RHYMES # 178

Father Christmas, Father Christmas,
Left his bag, Left his bag;
Up beside the chimney,
Up beside the chimney;
What a drag, what a drag.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – PAPER ANGELS

Paper Angels is by far the best Christmas movie of the last 30 years.
It is possessed with all the usual ingredients for a seasonal film, romance, humour, schmaltz, pathos and a strong Christian message but this one has something else, a surprise ending.
And that’s not something that’s easy to pull off in a Christmas movie.
Lynn Brandt (Josie Bissett) is an abused wife who leaves her alcoholic husband Darryl (Russell Porter) on Thanksgiving and moves with her children Thomas (Rustin Gresiuk) and Sara (Farryn Van Humbeck) to another town.
A year later and Lynn is working hard but getting nowhere financially and has to tell her son Thomas that they can’t afford a tree, decorations or presents.
Thomas is already having problems of his own as he’s still the new boy at high school and is being regularly bullied.
Their lives slowly become entwined with another family in trouble Kevin Morrell (Matthew Settle) has a failing business and his wife Jenny (Kendra Anderson) is heavily pregnant.
Thomas and Kevin become friends on the basketball court at a church youth club while Jenny’s pregnancy takes a turn for the worst.
Lynn finds a solution for the lack of Christmas presents and signs up the children for the Paper Angels which allows those on low incomes to write their child’s name and the desired gifts on the back of a Paper Angel hanging on the Christmas Tree at the Mall.
The school bullying soon turns to cyber bullying when another student puts up a Facebook appeal to help a poor kid namely Thomas.
But after he is befriended by popular girl Cassie Bale (Anja Savcic), Thomas uses the cyber bullying to his own advantage and turns the Facebook campaign into a charity collection for the Salvation Army.
Predictably perhaps Kevin gets Thomas’s angel from the tree, but the gifts he asks for are far from predictable.

EVERYBODY LOVES IT

Everybody loves it
Even if they won’t admit it
From the newly bred
To the nearly dead
Christmas is the bee’s knees
From decorated Christmas trees
To candlelight and mistletoe
And every happy Ho Ho Ho
Some may not agree
At least not openly
But are quite happy
To enjoy it secretly

CHRISTMAS DREAM # 3

I dream of Christmas
And Santa's loaded sleigh
I dream about the reindeer
Bringing Santa Claus my way

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 30 SUSSEX MUMMERS CAROL

Sussex Mummers Carol
Traditional English Carol Writer unknown

God bless the master of this house
With happiness beside;
Where e'er his body rides or walks
His God be his guide.
His God be his guide.

God bless the mistress of this house
With gold chain round her breast;
Where e'er her body sleeps or wakes,
Lord, send her soul to rest.
Lord, send her soul to rest.

God bless your house, your children too,
Your cattle and your store;
The Lord increase you day by day,
And send you more and more.
And send you more and more.

THE SANTA BLUES

Santa Claus works really hard
Dawn till dusk all the year long
And he is happy with his team
They are always singing a song
But in December he’s in the spotlight
And he can’t put a foot wrong
He must be on his best behaviour
When Christmas Eve comes along
He doesn’t really like the limelight
It’s the back room where he belongs
And during his great journey
When he suffers the reindeers pong
It’s for his happy team of helpers
And the cosy workshop he will long
He is much happier in the workshop
Working and Singing a Christmas song

CHRISTMAS TREE

My brother has a Christmas tree
My sister has one too
My parents have a Christmas tree
That is beautiful to view

The town square has a Christmas tree
The school has one too
Trafalgar square has a Christmas tree
That is beautiful to view

And the thing they have in common
Is that they are CHRISTMAS trees
Decorated and trimmed
To be quite beautiful you see

They are not part of a general holiday
Nor are they akin to Hanukkah
They are not part of a Winter Festival
CHRISTMAS Trees is what they are

And around our Christmas tree
We celebrate the blessed day
And all say Happy Christmas
But never happy holiday

IF DECEMBER ICE

If December ice will bear a duck
Thereafter will be slush and muck
But grab the duck off the ice
And Christmas lunch be very nice

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 32 - I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

I’ll be home for Christmas
Written By Walter Kent; Buck Ram, Kim Gannon
Performed By Frank Sinatra

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

CHRISTMAS RECIPE

Why can we not bottle its essence?
The Christmas recipe,
That heady concoction
That special combination
Light of heart,
Quick of step
A song on the lips
A symphony in the heart
Externally warmed by the fireside
Internally warmed by mulled wine
Generosity of spirit
Jollity and laughter
Its crisp cold winter days
And frosty starry nights
Evergreens and mistletoe
The smells of a Christmas kitchen
Infused with cinnamon and ginger
It’s over indulgence
It’s thinking of others
Absent friends
Far away loved ones
It’s sharing and caring
It’s loving thy neighbour
Its compassion
Its children laughing
Its mothers sighing
It’s the Christmas recipe
Why can we not bottle its essence
So that at times when are souls are troubled
Or our hearts are heavy
At moments when the darkness has descended
We could unscrew the cap
And breathe deeply of its heady brew
And be once more refreshed

Christmas Selection Box # 9

21st CENTURY NURSERY RHYMES # 173

Father Christmas, Father Christmas,
He got stuck, he got stuck;
Coming down the chimney,
Coming down the chimney;
Too much tuck, Too much tuck.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ANGELS AND ORNAMENTS

Although Corrine Stockton (Jessalyn Gilsig) is still upset after her recent breakup with boyfriend Tim (Roger Doche), she still happily prepares for her favourite holiday.
Plus she has other things on her mind, Corrine is a gifted musician and auditions for a solo in a community Christmas concert.
She also plays Christmas Carols on the piano for the patrons of the music store where she works with childhood friend and secret admirer Dave (Graham Abbey).
What she doesn’t know is the angel in training Harold Wagner (Sergio Di Zio) has been tasked with bringing her and Dave together romantically so her holiday season gets an unexpected dose of romance, Harold, becomes her new co-worker and is on a Christmas Eve deadline from a higher power to fulfil his mission.
With Harold's help, Corrine begins to view Dave in a new light as he tries to form a love connection between them.
As the clock ticks down to Harold's fairy-tale mission deadline, Corrine must decide if she will open up to Christmas love or fall back into the rut that was Tim.

CHRISTMAS SKY

The winter stage is dressed in tones of white
Everywhere is quiet everywhere is bright
Houses are adorned with lights of every hue
To celebrate the Christmas hullaballoo
And the starry sky on a frost filled night
Is in truth the most wonderful sight
A sky that held the star they had to follow
Over two thousand Christmas skies ago

CHRISTMAS DREAM # 2

I dream of Christmas
Laying in my cozy room
Dreaming of the carol singers
Singing their Christmas tunes

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 32 THE STABLE COW

The Stable Cow
Written by Yvonne Machin

Unfortunately I have no lyrics for this song and have been unable to find any.
I only saw it performed on one occasion which was performed by the Arts Educational School Choir, Tring Park, under the direction Choral Director Yvonne Machin.
It was on the BBC television program, Christmas with Val Doonican, first broadcast on 24th Dec 1986.
I would be very interested if anyone is aware of the lyrics or any other performances.

OLD YEARS NIGHT

My wife is an optimist
Which is why, she stays up
On New Year’s Eve
To see in the new one

I am by nature a pessimist
Which means, that I stay up
On New Year’s Eve
To make sure the old one has gone

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

When Jack Frost is abroad
And the Thanksgiving snow falls
When we hear the first sleigh bell’s ring
Christmas isn’t far away at all
So make those lists and join the throng
Of happy shoppers down at the mall

SNOWFLAKES ON THE DAY

Smoke curls from the chimneys,
And dissolves into the grey
Then the clouds in exchange
Release snowflakes on the day

Soon the air is full of white flakes
Filtering the sounds of life away
The land is soon under deep snow
Of snowflakes released on the day

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 31 - HAPPY HOLIDAY

Happy Holiday
Written By Irving Berlin
Performed By Andy Williams

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your every wish come true

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you

It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming back
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
When old Santa gets into town
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down

It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus has got a toy
For every good girl and good little boy
He's a great big bundle of joy
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down

He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree

It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at 12 o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down!

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you

Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you
To you
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday

CHRISTMAS PERFECTION

I found the perfect Christmas gift
And that’s what I’m unwrapping
She’s five foot two, eyes of blue
Slender, tender, figuratively cracking

So it’s a happy Christmas to me
For a very obvious reason
I’ve found myself the perfect gift
That I will enjoy all of the season

Christmas Selection Box # 8

ON THE EVE OF THE SPECIAL DAY # 1

On the eve of the special day
As I sit beside the fire
Peace upon the earth
Is my one abiding desire

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – FAREWELL MR KRINGLE

Anna Walls (Christine Taylor), a sceptical magazine writer who is assigned to chronicle the 50th anniversary of Kris Kringle (William Morgan Sheppard) in the town of Mistletoe.
The town in fact wasn’t always called Mistletoe it was originally Summertown but it was such a Christmas town the inhabitants renamed it.
Mistletoe’s Santa Claus is hanging up his hat After 50 years (don’t panic he’s not THE Santa Claus) and Anna Walls is assigned to see what makes him tick.
This is complicated by the fact that because of a personal tragedy in her life Anna is a nonbeliever, not only in Santa but Christmas itself.
So slowly through her interactions with the townspeople, in particular Mark Stafford (Christopher Wiehl), Anna quickly discovers how much Kris Kringle means to the small town, and how much Christmas means to Kris Kringle.
But through her investigations will Anna recapture her Christmas spirit? That is the big question.
Well it is Christmas after all.

CHRISTMAS DREAM # 1

I dream of Christmas
And hope the snow will fall
I dream of a snowy scene
When Santa comes to call

CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED

There's no Christmas this year
There will be no Christmas cheer
For Santa checked the naughty list
And found himself a naughty miss
Then picked her up in his sleigh
And then flew her off to St Tropez

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 31 GAUDETTE

Gaudette
Written by Bell, Andy / Clarke, Vince / Traditional

Gaudete, gaudete
Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virgine
Gaudete
Tempus adest gratiae
Hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae
Devote reddamus
Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante
Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur
Unde Lux est orta
Salus invenitur
Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat Domino
Salus Regi nostro

IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN

It’s Christmas time again
When the spirit is beautiful
When every pocket is empty
But every heart is full

THEY STOOD IN BREATHLESS WONDER

They stood in breathless wonder
At the babe so meek and mild
And with their gifts they knelt
At the feet of the holy child

OH PRETTY SNOWFLAKE

Oh pretty snowflake
Gentle on my face
Oh delicate beauty
Like Belgian lace
Oh pretty snowflake
Thing of grace
You were here
Now not a trace

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 35 - ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Written by Johnny Marks and Performed by Brenda Lee

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some carolling

You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear
Voices singing "Let's be jolly"
Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way

You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear
Voices singing "Let's be jolly"
Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way

BUT SOFTLY THE MYRIAD SNOW FLAKES FALL

But softly the myriad snowflakes fall
These infinite flakes of purest white
Like pure white down of angels wings
Floating gently from heavens height

But this is no heaven sent delight
This thing of beauty that cruelly lingers
For harshly touched is the naked earth
When touched by winters icy fingers

Christmas Selection Box # 7

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 5

Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the castle
Not a soul was stirring not even the rascal
And when the king returned from merrymaking
No one was awake to let him back in

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER - HATS OFF TO CHRISTMAS

Mia (Haylie Duff), is the loyal and hard-working manager of her small town's Christmas hat shop, Hats off to Christmas.
She is hoping that after over ten years with the company she is due a promotion when she is called in to see her boss (Jay Brazeau).
However all does not go as she had hoped and instead of a promotion she is asked to train his son, Nick (Antonio Cupo), for the vacant upper-management position.
Nick himself gets a surprise when he finds out that the training is from the bottom up.
And that is the basic premise for this very likeable seasonal romantic comedy.
Good performances by Sean Michael Kyer as Mia's wheelchair bound so as her son Scotty and Melanie Papalia as her friend Ellie add to the overall enjoyment.

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE SIXTH OF DECEMBER

Remember, remember the sixth of December
And put your red boots out
Because that is the very special day
When St Nicholas is about

THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

The pudding is in the basin
The cloth is tied in a knot
We put it in the boiling water
And hear it hissing in the pot

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 26 STILL, STILL, STILL

Still, Still, Still
Music Traditional and Lyrics by Georg Götsch

Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come

SING IN PRAISE

We stand around the Christmas tree
And sing to the Christmas melodies
We thank the lord for what we are
Standing beneath the Christmas star
To celebrate the Christ child's birth
When he came to us to save the earth

IT’S CHRISTMAS BY GOLLY

It’s Christmas by golly
Let’s hang up the holly
It’s Christmas by golly
Let’s spend all our lolly
It’s Christmas by golly
It’s the time to be jolly

WE ARE THE CAROL SINGERS

We are the carol singers
Who sing carols as we go
We sing in any weather
In rain or wind or snow

At every house or cottage
That stands upon the lane
We proudly sing a carol
In snow or wind or rain

We are the carol singers
We never feel chagrined
As we proudly sing together
In snow or rain or wind

We shake the tin for charity
Singing carols as we go
We are the carol singers
In rain or wind or snow

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 34 - MARY, DID YOU KNOW?

Mary, Did You Know?
Words by Mark Lowry
Music by Buddy Greene
Sung by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby,
You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding
Is the Great I Am!

THE MAN IN RED

Christmas Eve
It’s time for bed
Listen for the sleigh bells
Of the man in red

Cookies and milk
By the fire place
Excitement beams
From each child’s face

Up the stairs
And fast asleep
Close those eyes
You mustn’t peep

Then when you wake
You will see
Sweets and toys galore
To fill you with glee

Christmas Selection Box # 6

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 4

Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the cottage
Was silence with the owners at home in Peas Pottage
So under cover of darkness at a very late hour
The cottage was torched by the Sons of Glendower

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – OFF SEASON

10-year-old, Jackson Mayhew (Rory Culkin) moves in with his Aunt (Sherilyn Fenn) after the death of his parents.
Aunt Patty works the bar at the Coconut Grotto hotel in Florida and it’s at the Hotel where Jackson befriends an elderly man Sam Clausner (Hum Cronyn) and he begins to suspect that the old man is actually Santa Claus,
The wonderful Hume Cronyn's is brilliant and plays his role with panache and will be remembered as a holiday classic.
His flawless performance was given despite the fact he was almost 90 years old.

WITH OPEN ARMS

With open arms I welcome Christmas
I embrace its merriment and mirth
With open heart I welcome Christmas
To celebrate the Christ Childs birth

NOT JUST ANOTHER CHRISTMAS

Christmas has come around
It’s another Christmas dear
Another special season
So full of Christmas cheer

Just another Christmas?
We had better not forget dear
It’s not just another Christmas
Something’s different this year

What’s special this Christmas?
You’ve surely not forgotten dear
A milestone is to be reached
That’s what’s special about this year

It’s a special Christmas isn’t it?
I see the penny has dropped dear
We must hang up baby's stocking
It’s his first Christmas this year

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 23 THE FIRST NOEL

The first Noel

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
In fields where they lay a keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far:
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from the country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the north-west;
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the kind of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

CHRISTMAS GETAWAY

The sleigh is empty
The list is ticked
It’s back to base
Double quick

Mrs. Claus is waiting
To greet me
Fidgeting around
Quite excitedly

The bags are packed
And in the sleigh
We’re off to Florida
For a holiday

THE LITTLE CHRISTINGLE GIRL

Oh sweet little Christingle girl
Your daddy is so very far away
“Bring my daddy safely home”
These are the words you pray

Oh sweet little Christingle girl
Daddy is away at the war
“Bring my daddy safely home
Bring him safely to our door”

Oh sweet little Christingle girl
How she misses daddy far away
How sad she is, he won’t be home
To be with them on Christmas day

At Sunday school she made a Christingle
She took an orange to represent the world.
And to symbolize the blood Christ shed
She took the red ribbon from her curls

Then she decorated four tooth picks
With fruits and sweets and marshmallows
These she placed in the four corners
To represented all the earthly souls

Then finally in the centre of the orange
She stood a single candle of purest white
And when lit, the candle represented
The world filled with Christ’s loving light

The sweet little Christingle girl
Took it home with her that day
And stood it in the window
So daddy would find his way

And the sweet little Christingle girl
With her daddy so very far away
Knew that when he did come home
That would be their Christmas day

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 30 - MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING

Merry Christmas Darling
Written By, Richard Lynn Carpenter / Frank Pooler
Performed by the Carpenters

Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmas-ing with you
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
(Merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry Christmas - darling)

THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL

The Christmas Angel comes each year
To spread around the Christmas cheer
Though the angels seldom appear
They are still there so do not fear
And listening with the keenest ear
You will never ever be able to hear
The Christmas angel standing near
But she will look over those near and dear
As she spreads around the Christmas cheer
Then the heavenly presence we revere
Twill be gone again until next year

SANTA CLAUS REALLY LOVES HIS JOB

Santa Claus really loves his job
He doesn’t do it for the money
But sometimes it’s a struggle
And sometimes it’s not funny
Trying to please the kids today
Is certainly no easy task
Balancing what they deserve
Against what they ask
Sometimes Santa is impatient
With the ungrateful little buggers
And pictures them in the future
As sociopaths, fraudsters or muggers
But Santa Claus really loves his job
And most of the kids are a joy
So he does try to be patient
And see the best in every girl and boy

Christmas Selection Box # 5

CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE WORKHOUSE # 4

It’s Christmas day in the workhouse
Just another grey day to endure
We are being treated to pot noodle
So Oliver won’t be asking for more

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS

This is very much a case of Groundhog Day meeting Christmas but is an absolute delight.
12 Dates of Christmas is a romantic comedy that follows Kate (Amy Smart) who is forced to relive the same first date on Christmas Eve with Miles (Mark-Paul Gosselaar).
Initially she focuses on trying to win back her ex-boyfriend.
But Kate actually ends up pursuing Miles in an effort to not keep ruining their blind date.
Kate finally sees the light and learns to take risks in her life as there are no consequences when the slate is wiped clean at midnight.
Everything comes good in the end and Kate finds happiness with the handsome guy she's been set up with.

FIONA

I first met Fiona at a Christmas party
A beautiful woman in a young girl’s body
So more mature than her 17 years
And she chose me that night
Despite a host of more suitable suitors
And we danced into the night
Her firm body pressed against mine
Her intoxicating scent enveloping me
Arms clinging tightly to me
Her breath against my neck
In full view of envious eyes
And later in passionate embrace
Just the two of us in the darkness
As I kissed her goodnight

THE MAGICAL SEASON

Christmas cards come from absentees
Bringing so many Christmas wishes
And those you get to see in person
Are greeted with Christmas kisses

It’s the time for friends and family
Exchanging gifts beneath the tree
A time to enjoy every single moment
And make it as magical as it can be

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 22 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

DECEMBER HAS COME ROUND AGAIN

December has come round again
Another Christmas time is near.
That time when young and old
Almost explode with festive cheer.

IT WARMS MY REMINISCENT HEART

It warms my reminiscent heart
When Christmas preparations start
When the bells of Christmas chime
I am taken back to happy times
With special friends and family
And all the Christmas memories
When Christmas preparations start
It warms my reminiscent heart

DECEMBER, DECEMBER

December, December
The snow has come
Falling all night long
Kids it’s time to have some fun

December, December
Children playing in the snow
Skating and sledding
Faces all aglow

December, December
More snow will come
Then all through the winter
Kids will have more fun

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 29 - PEACE ON EARTH / LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Peace on Earth
Written in 1982 by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan
Little Drummer Boy
Written in 1958 by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone
Performed by Bing Crosby David Bowie

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
so to honour him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
when we come

Little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
And he smiled at me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
me and my drum

Peace on Earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Can it be

KRIS KRINGLE

If there is one thing
To make the senses tingle
It’s the coming of
The good Kris Kringle

On Christmas Eve
We wait and pray
For good Kris Kringle
To come our way

Christmas Selection Box # 4

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 10

Twas the night before Christmas and Santa was pissed,
He was so drunk in fact he couldn’t read the list
So the toys for the nice kids never left the North Pole
And they all ended up with a big piece of coal

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS HEART

A teenage boy collapses during a high school basketball game after suffering from a heart problem.
As his condition deteriorates it becomes clear that the only thing that will save him is a heart transplant.
After a near fatal set back the family are told that he will die if a doner heart doesn’t become available by Christmas Eve.
The quaint street where the family live have a forty-year old tradition of lining it with Christmas luminaries but the lighting of them is put on hold until they get news of a donor heart.
And when on a stormy Christmas Eve when the heart is being flown through a violent snow storm the luminaries are lit and perform an unexpected purpose.

CHRISTMAS EVE

We sit beside the hearth,
Just Evelyn and I
Logs crackling in the grate
Flames are burning bright

Just the two of us
Alone in the fire side glow
Sitting in cosy comfort
Warm from head to toe

It was a year ago we met
On a very different night
When I first saw her face
In the soft glow of candle light

It was last Christmas Eve
When I first saw her
It was at midnight mass
And she was singing in the choir

She will be singing Carols
Again this Christmas Eve
We will have to stir ourselves
It’s almost time to leave

But before we leave the cosy scene
I have something to ask
But I’m a little bit scared
As I set about my task

This year has been so special
With her sharing my life
That I want Evelyn to marry me
I want her to be my wife

So as we sit beside the hearth,
Just Evelyn and I
Logs crackling in the grate
Flames burning bright

I pray that when I ask her
I get the response I dare not believe
And she will answered yes
And be MY Christmas Eve

SANTA

Santa comes but once a year
Riding on his sleigh
From his North Pole HQ
With gifts for Christmas day

Santa comes down your chimney.
To fill your Christmas stockings
With nuts, fruit and candy
And all kinds of wonderful things

So remember on Christmas Eve
To be good girls and boys
Or Santa won’t come
To bring you lots of toys

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 24 WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE

We Three Kings of Orient Are Written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

CHRISTMAS CANOODLE

She is the object of my desire
Hers is the name I sit and doodle
Oh how I long to kiss those lips
As Sweet as apple strudel
I would give every thing I own
The whole kit and caboodle
To spend one minute in her arms
And share a Christmas canoodle

CHRISTMAS WISH

I’m not looking forward to Christmas
Not since we lost Mum this year
I’m not looking forward to a Christmas
Devoid of any Christmas cheer

Dads doing his best to lift our spirits
All though inside he’s really hurting too
He wants to make it a special time
And do the things like Mum used to do

So we decked the house with garlands
And trimmed the Christmas tree
We hung the Christmas cards on strings
So that everyone could see

Then with all the decorations up
My Dad went round us one by one
To ask us what gift we wanted
And he promised his best would be done

My sister Jules wants new clothes
Kenny wants music of any kind
The twins they want an X-Box
And the baby really doesn’t mind

Then Dad asked me “what do you want son?
What gift would stop you feeling glum”?
I said “I don’t want a present Dad
All I wish for Christmas is my Mum”

VISITING SANTA

You have to wait in line
To see Santa, but that’s fine
It’s worth every minute of queuing
And the anticipation of viewing
Santa Claus with his big belly
Wobbling like a bowl full of jelly
And his fruity chuckle you hear
In the Christmas grotto each year
Then you get to climb onto his lap
And have your special Christmas chat
Then all too soon it’s time to go
And Santa gives you a HO HO HO

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 28 - A WINTER'S TALE

A Winter's Tale
Written By Mike Batt, Tim Rice
Performed By David Essex

The nights are colder now
Maybe, I should close the door
And anyway the snow has covered all your footsteps
And I can follow you no more

The fire still burns at night
My memories are warm and clear
But everybody knows it's hard
To be alone at this time of year

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

A love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

While I stand alone
A bell is ringing far away
I wonder if you hear, I wonder if you're listening
I wonder where you are today

Good luck, I wish you well
For all that wishes may be worth
I hope that love and strength are with you
For the length of your time on earth

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

It's a love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

It's a love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Of all the Christmas’s I can remember
My best Christmas’s were the ones
Where I would decorate the tree with dad
And make Christmas cookies with mum
Thread popcorn and make paper chains
Each day opening the advent calendar
Wrapping the gifts in excited secrecy
Writing cards and sending them near and far
They are just distant memories now
But they were still the very best ones
And we must make Christmas memories
Now we have our daughters and our sons

Christmas Selection Box # 3

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 3

Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the tent
The creatures were stirring with malicious intent
They wriggled and crawled they chewed and they bit
As they made themselves a festive feast of it

ALL BOWED BEFORE THE NEWBORN

All bowed before the newborn
In that stable forlorn
Shepherds and their beasts
And the magi from the east
The noble men of wealth
Concerned about his heath
Gave gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold
Gifts his tiny hands could not hold
And at the centre of this scene
Slept the young King serene

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CHRISTMAS WISH

Martha Evans (Kristy Swanson) is abandoned by her waste of space husband.
Who before taking his leave emptied the bank account and left her homeless and destitute. Martha leaves town with her stepson and two daughters with no destination in mind in the vague hope of finding work and someone to live.
They end up in a small rural town where she rents a room in the motel and manages to find work in a diner.
But that isn’t the end of her trouble through the warm hearted folk of the town come to her aid.
A nice seasonal tale.

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW

Dashing through the snow
On a one horse open sleigh,
Over fields we go
Laughing all the way
Then the reins do snap,
We weren’t expecting that
Now we laugh no more
As we hit a tree so fat

Oh ambulance bells, ambulance bells
Sirens all the way
They dragged us from the wreck
Of a one horse open sleigh
Oh ambulance bells, ambulance bells
Sirens all the way
Oh, what fun it’s NOT to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

I’M THINKING OF YOU

I’m thinking of you
As I sit here feeling blue
I miss you every day
While you are away
But duty called you
And of course I knew
You would have to go
Away to fight the foe
So I’m thinking of you
As I sit here feeling blue
Alone on Christmas day
While you are far away

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 25 GOOD KING WENCESLAS

Good King Wenceslas Written By John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore

If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

The love of Christ
Unconditional, pure
Deeply felt love
That doth endure

CHRISTMAS CAROLE

My feelings and emotions,
Long since repressed,
Stirred from their slumber
Feelings I thought had long passed
Were awakened like a sleeping giant
Reappearing like long lost friends
Out of the blue and so unexpected
And Carole was the reason
We met by chance
A week or so before Christmas
In a crowded book shop
Amidst the throng of Christmas shoppers
We simultaneously emerged at the checkout
Both clutching a copy of the same book
The dickens classic
“A Christmas Carol”
Spotting each others proposed purchases
We both smiled
And as far as we could see
We were the only people smiling
Surrounded as we were
By a multitude of the disgruntled
I found myself suggesting coffee
And was pleasantly surprised to here her accept
Following that first chance meeting
We quickly became inseparable
We would sit and talk for hours
About everything and nothing
As we’d sit by the cosy fireside
We would share long walks in the country
And afternoons watching old movies
It soon became obvious
We had both found that elusive something
That had been just out of reach
Just over the next hill
We had found our soul mates
Now we share everything
She was the Christmas gift
I had been waiting for all my life
My very own Christmas cracker
My very own Christmas Carole

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 27 - SAVIOUR’S DAY

Saviour’s Day
Written By Chris Eaton
Performed by Cliff Richard

Now we have been through the harvest
Winter has truly begun
Now we have walked in the chill of the night
We are waiting for, waiting for
For the Saviour's Day
Many have come from the valleys
Many have come from the hills
Many have started their journey home
To be with someone, with someone
On the Saviour's Day
Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be yours if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day
Joining the old and the young ones
Joining the black and the white
Meeting the need of the hungry is he
Will we ever remember him
On the Saviour's Day
Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be yours if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day
Here's to the God of the present
(Raise your glasses)
Here's to the God of the past
(Drink to the King)
Here's to the hope in the future he brings
We will sing to Him, sing to Him
On the Saviour's Day
Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be yours if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day
On the Saviour's Day
On the Saviour's Day
He is calling you
On the Saviour's Day
On the Saviour's Day
(Calling, calling, calling you)
On the Saviour's Day
(Calling, calling, calling you)
On the Saviour's Day
(Calling, calling, calling you)
(Calling, calling, calling you)
(Calling, calling)
Raise your glasses drink to the King

WHO ATE AL THE PIES?

The old fat fella
In the big red suit
Of delivering gifts
In his festive pursuit

Wide black belt
And big black boot
The jolly fat bloke
Ruddy and hirsute

He does great good
That’s not in dispute
But he eats too much
So he’s a chubby brute

So when he visits
On his Christmas commute
Don’t leave him a pie
Leave him some fruit