I left school when I was fifteen which was in the early seventies.
I was living in Stevenage, with my parents in a warden run block of sheltered accommodation for the elderly, my mother was the warden.
I attended the School nearby which I left in the May and I started my first three days later.
However In the November of that same year the family moved from one side of town to the other, the significance of this will become clear later in the story.
The house move didn’t affect my getting to and from work as the town had a good bus service, operating a flat fare service on circular routes.
So I still got the same bus as I did from the old address but from a different stop but the price was the same.
This also will prove significant later on.
As I said this was my first year at work and I had my first Christmas party to look forward to.
It was on the last day before we broke for the Christmas holiday and we had a little works party in the yard where a little Christmas cheer was imbibed and a drink or two were consumed.
Now I was only sixteen and I had only had very limited experience of alcohol and I got well and truly bladdered on whisky Mac, cider and something unpronounceable from Yugoslavia.
At the end of the afternoon one of my workmates gave me a lift into the town centre and from there I caught my usual bus.
In my drunken state I managed to climb the stairs to the top deck and the bus set off filled with Christmas shoppers and a drunken trainee grounds man.
I must have drifted off on the journey and I suddenly came to and looking out the window recognized a familiar site and I promptly got off the bus.
I headed off up the road in the direction of home wishing all and sundries a merry Christmas as I went.
I entered through the main doors to the flats and passed the Christmas tree in the foyer and headed straight for flat number one.
At the door I fumbled for my key and presented it to the lock, it wouldn’t fit.
I peered closely at it and it was definitely my door key so I tried to put it in the lock again, still it wouldn’t fit.
Suddenly the door opened and a stranger looked out at me
“Can I help?” she asked.
“Ah my name is Paul and I don’t live here anymore do I?”
The lady, who was the new warden, laughed and agreed with me that I no longer lived there.
So I wished her a happy Christmas and made my way back to the foyer were there was a public telephone with a large Perspex dome over it.
My intention was to phone for a taxi but rummaging in my pockets I discovered I had no money for the taxi or indeed a coin to make a phone call.
Then as I tried to duck under the Perspex hood I tripped over my own feet and fell into the Christmas tree which ended up on top of me.
The lady who now lived at no 1 heard the commotion and came to investigate and to my surprise thought it very amusing to find a drunken teenager wearing the Christmas tree.
“Oh dear” she said laughing.
Deeply apologetic I explained the circumstances of my predicament and the new warden phoned a taxi for me and even gave me the money for the fare.
That was real Christmas spirit and I have never forgotten her kindness and tolerance and try to keep that same spirit in my own heart at Christmas.
Friday, 2 December 2016
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
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
Thursday, 1 December 2016
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
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
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
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
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
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Mistletoe And Miracles
Mistletoe And Miracles (Part One)
It was Christmas Day at my parents’ house and it was heaving with all my happy semi intoxicated relatives, Mum and Dad, my kid brother, two older sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins.
And I’m glad they were happy even if I wasn’t.
I just wished they would take their happiness elsewhere I had no need of it.
Even if I was the reason the entire clan had assembled that day.
It was my mother’s idea to invite everyone to make Christmas noisy and happy and jolly to keep me distracted.
My mother was something of a force of nature so when she “invited” it was generally accepted to be an order, she meant well of course.
Christmas Dinner was tolerable enough, the jollity was blissfully muted when they had their mouths full of my mums excellent cooking.
But then as soon as the last spoonful of Christmas Pud had been consumed it all ramped up again.
Mum organized the girls in the kitchen and Dad got everyone else clearing away in preparation for an afternoon of fun.
I retreated to the hall and got my coat on the last thing I needed was fun.
“Where are you going Nick?” mum asked
“I just need to walk my dinner off” I replied patting my stomach
She nodded her understanding and knew it was nothing to do with needing a constitutional.
“Do you want some company?” she asked
“No mum I’ll be fine, I won’t be long”
“You’ll need your hat and scarf” she insisted and draped a scarf around my neck and pulled my woolen hat on my head.
Then she put a hand on each cheek and kissed me like she did when I was a boy.
I smiled a weak smile.
"You’ll need gloves as well" she said “its bitter cold out there”
Her voice cracked and she walked quickly back into the kitchen.
I wished for her sake I could hide my sadness, it had almost been as difficult a year for her as it had for me.
"I'll be fine mum," I said to myself "I just need time”
I braced myself as I opened the front door and then walked outside and saw it was still snowing.
I reached the end of the path and turned back to look at the Waterfield house where I had spent such a happy childhood.
It was midafternoon and it was already getting dark so I decided to stick to the main road until my eyes became accustomed.
It was years since I had seen a white Christmas, it was a shame I wasn’t in a better frame of mind to enjoy it.
Even in the semi darkness there was clear evidence the village children had been out in force.
There was no sign of them as the light began to fail they were probably lured back indoors with mugs of hot chocolate by their concerned families.
As I made my way up the hill towards St Jane’s church the snow started to fall harder.
I looked at the houses as I passed them with coloured lights resplendent and wondered at what sadness lurked in their homes and then I chastised myself for my self-pity.
It was just that I had had such high hopes for that Christmas, it had held so much promise.
I’d started a new job the previous February, I am an engineer by profession.
And as every other new hire I got the first day office tour, on this occasion conducted by my new boss Gary Ash.
After shaking hands with an indeterminate number of employees I began to understand what the Queen had to contend with.
“This is the procurement department” Gary said and half a dozen heads turned around to greet us and one smartly dressed young woman stepped out of a corner office.
“Ah Gina” Gary called “This is Nick Waterfield the new head of Engineering”
Gina reached out her hand and I took it
“Gina Davies” she said and that was that, she had me hook line and sinker, we had our first date that Friday and we were married just after Easter.
It was a whirlwind romance and we had our whole lives ahead of us and we made plans upon plans.
Of course what we never planned for was a drunk driver to cross the central reservation and hit her head on as she drove home the day before Halloween.
I should have been with her, we always drove home together but at the last minute I had to go to Aberdeen so she died alone.
I wished I’d been in the car with her, I wished I’d died with her then I wouldn’t have felt so shit.
Mistletoe And Miracles (Part Two)
The snow was falling fast and the wind was blowing it straight at me so discretion being the better part of valour, I decided to take refuge in the Church of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal.
I hadn’t set foot in a church since the funeral, God and I had not been on speaking terms since he took Gina.
I didn’t plan to go in I just intended taking shelter in the porch until the snow eased off a bit, but the door suddenly opened.
"What on earth are you doing out here?" said a voice behind me
I turned around to see it was Charli Newcombe.
They had gone to school together and had even dated briefly on two separate occasions.
Once when they were still at school and again when he returned from university.
But it never seemed to happen for them.
“Hey Charli” he said "I was just out for a walk."
“In this?” she said
"So what are you really doing out here?"
“Trivial Pursuits” I replied
“What?”
“The family are all playing Trivial Pursuits, I didn’t really fancy it”
“I see”
"Anyway it’s Christmas Day” I retorted “Shouldn't you be at home watching The Sound of Music?”
"You’d think so wouldn’t you, My folks are both asleep in front of the TV and I had sole control of the remote, and I suddenly got the notion I should come and get the church ready for tomorrows service” even she seemed surprised by her answer.
Apart from running the general store and post office Charli was also the church warden.
Her late husband Tony had been the Vicar.
Charli was the same age as me give or take a month or two, I was thirty and she was a month short of that milestone.
And like me she was born and bred in the village.
She had married Tony shortly after he got the job as Vicar he was quite a few years older than her but she loved him to distraction, and you can’t argue with love.
She was devastated when he had a heart attack in the church and died.
That was shortly after he had performed the wedding ceremony for Gina and I.
I had seen a lot of her since I came back to stay with my parents in the village.
I suppose I sought her out because of our history together and I knew she would understand how it felt to lose someone.
And maybe help me come to terms with the grief.
We had talked it through endlessly and had burnt the midnight oil many times.
And some of the old feelings I had for her had come to the surface, for which I felt immensely guilty and disloyal to Gina’s memory.
“You look like you could do with a hot drink," she said opening the door
"No I won’t come in thanks" I said
"It’s Christmas, you could call a truce for the sake of the day at least”
"Ok" I relented and hesitantly followed her into the church.
The most overwhelming feeling washed over me.
It was one of great happiness as I remembered that wonderful day when Gina and I were married.
I would have expected to feel sorrow at the memory but it was pure joy I felt and immense pride.
I took off my hat, scarf and gloves and I know it will sound silly but the moment I crossed the threshold into the sanctuary of the church I’d felt a weight lift from me.
Charli had gone into a side room and switched on the light but I found I was walking down the aisle towards the altar where I paused briefly before an effigy of the saint and then sat down on the front pew.
Mistletoe And Miracles (Part Three)
When I got up from the front pew I found all the anger and resentment had washed away I felt more positive than I had in weeks and I felt I could even look forward.
I stood up and smiled at St Jane and went in search of the drink I was offered.
I found Charli in the little kitchen sat at a small table and she looked up at me and smiled and as I walked in I returned her smile.
"Is this mine?" I asked pointing at a mug by the kettle
"Yes" she replied "but I’ll make you a fresh one”
“No this will be fine” I said and took a sip “urgh”
“I told you” Charli said laughing
“How long was I sitting out there?” I asked her
She checked her watch
“About forty minutes”
“I’m sorry” I said “it only seemed like two or three”
“So how do you feel?” she enquired
“Surprisingly good” I replied and sat down “St Jane was very helpful”
“Yes she is isn’t she” Charli said as she re-boiled the kettle
“I’m still angry that I didn’t get to say goodbye to her” I admitted
“I know that feeling” Charli retorted
“We had such a short time together, we should have had decades, and instead we only had months”
And then I surprised myself when I smiled at her and added
“But those months were so special and so filled with joy that the time we had together was priceless”
“Amen to that” Charli said
“Which is precisely what you’ve been telling me all these weeks” I confessed
“Uh huh” she responded and we sat and drank our coffee in a comfortable silence.
Charli’s flicked her eyes upwards and caused me to do the same and I saw the mistletoe hanging above the table then she leant across the table and kissed me.
After the kiss it was me who broke the silence
"So do you have someone special in your life?”
"Do you mean a boyfriend?” she replied
"Yes" I said
"I was kind of hoping you might want the job” Charli said
“I think I would” I said and reached across the table and took hold of her hand.
“If you’ll have me”
She leant across the table and kissed me again this time it was a long lingering sensual kiss.
“Are we allowed to do that in church?” I asked
“Only on Christmas Day” she replied and kissed me again.
She locked up the Church and we stepped out from the shelter of the porch and the snow had abated but it was still falling and I smiled as it accumulated on top of her hat.
I offered her my hand which she accepted gladly and then I walked her home hand in hand through the snow.
Her parents’ house was only two doors down from mine so walking her home wasn’t out of the way not that it would have made any difference if she had lived on the other side of the village.
We stopped by the front gate and stood facing each other and I leant in and kissed her, her response was immediate and yielding.
It was a long purposeful kiss full of tenderness and hope for the future.
When I reluctantly broke away I said
“I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Yes” Charli replied and went up the path, pausing at the door to turn and wave before she went inside.
“Are you alright dear?” Mum asked with concern
“Yes” I said and smiled “I rather think I am”
And the effect on her was instant as the worry and anxiety melted away and she looked five years younger in an instant.
“I’m so glad” she said and rushed forward to hug me.
I have to admit I have given a good deal of reflective thought about exactly what happened that snowy Christmas Day afternoon.
Was it coincidence that I chose to walk in the direction of St Jane’s Church, or that I needed to take shelter precisely as I passed its sanctuary, or that Charli would open the door to leave just as I stood sheltering beneath the porch?
And what possessed her to leave the warmth and comfort of her parent’s cozy fireside on Christmas Day to tidy a cold and draughty Church.
I know what I believe and as to what transpired between me and the Saint as I sat on that Church pew is between me, St Jane and God.
It was Christmas Day at my parents’ house and it was heaving with all my happy semi intoxicated relatives, Mum and Dad, my kid brother, two older sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins.
And I’m glad they were happy even if I wasn’t.
I just wished they would take their happiness elsewhere I had no need of it.
Even if I was the reason the entire clan had assembled that day.
It was my mother’s idea to invite everyone to make Christmas noisy and happy and jolly to keep me distracted.
My mother was something of a force of nature so when she “invited” it was generally accepted to be an order, she meant well of course.
Christmas Dinner was tolerable enough, the jollity was blissfully muted when they had their mouths full of my mums excellent cooking.
But then as soon as the last spoonful of Christmas Pud had been consumed it all ramped up again.
Mum organized the girls in the kitchen and Dad got everyone else clearing away in preparation for an afternoon of fun.
I retreated to the hall and got my coat on the last thing I needed was fun.
“Where are you going Nick?” mum asked
“I just need to walk my dinner off” I replied patting my stomach
She nodded her understanding and knew it was nothing to do with needing a constitutional.
“Do you want some company?” she asked
“No mum I’ll be fine, I won’t be long”
“You’ll need your hat and scarf” she insisted and draped a scarf around my neck and pulled my woolen hat on my head.
Then she put a hand on each cheek and kissed me like she did when I was a boy.
I smiled a weak smile.
"You’ll need gloves as well" she said “its bitter cold out there”
Her voice cracked and she walked quickly back into the kitchen.
I wished for her sake I could hide my sadness, it had almost been as difficult a year for her as it had for me.
"I'll be fine mum," I said to myself "I just need time”
I braced myself as I opened the front door and then walked outside and saw it was still snowing.
I reached the end of the path and turned back to look at the Waterfield house where I had spent such a happy childhood.
It was midafternoon and it was already getting dark so I decided to stick to the main road until my eyes became accustomed.
It was years since I had seen a white Christmas, it was a shame I wasn’t in a better frame of mind to enjoy it.
Even in the semi darkness there was clear evidence the village children had been out in force.
There was no sign of them as the light began to fail they were probably lured back indoors with mugs of hot chocolate by their concerned families.
As I made my way up the hill towards St Jane’s church the snow started to fall harder.
I looked at the houses as I passed them with coloured lights resplendent and wondered at what sadness lurked in their homes and then I chastised myself for my self-pity.
It was just that I had had such high hopes for that Christmas, it had held so much promise.
I’d started a new job the previous February, I am an engineer by profession.
And as every other new hire I got the first day office tour, on this occasion conducted by my new boss Gary Ash.
After shaking hands with an indeterminate number of employees I began to understand what the Queen had to contend with.
“This is the procurement department” Gary said and half a dozen heads turned around to greet us and one smartly dressed young woman stepped out of a corner office.
“Ah Gina” Gary called “This is Nick Waterfield the new head of Engineering”
Gina reached out her hand and I took it
“Gina Davies” she said and that was that, she had me hook line and sinker, we had our first date that Friday and we were married just after Easter.
It was a whirlwind romance and we had our whole lives ahead of us and we made plans upon plans.
Of course what we never planned for was a drunk driver to cross the central reservation and hit her head on as she drove home the day before Halloween.
I should have been with her, we always drove home together but at the last minute I had to go to Aberdeen so she died alone.
I wished I’d been in the car with her, I wished I’d died with her then I wouldn’t have felt so shit.
Mistletoe And Miracles (Part Two)
The snow was falling fast and the wind was blowing it straight at me so discretion being the better part of valour, I decided to take refuge in the Church of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal.
I hadn’t set foot in a church since the funeral, God and I had not been on speaking terms since he took Gina.
I didn’t plan to go in I just intended taking shelter in the porch until the snow eased off a bit, but the door suddenly opened.
"What on earth are you doing out here?" said a voice behind me
I turned around to see it was Charli Newcombe.
They had gone to school together and had even dated briefly on two separate occasions.
Once when they were still at school and again when he returned from university.
But it never seemed to happen for them.
“Hey Charli” he said "I was just out for a walk."
“In this?” she said
"So what are you really doing out here?"
“Trivial Pursuits” I replied
“What?”
“The family are all playing Trivial Pursuits, I didn’t really fancy it”
“I see”
"Anyway it’s Christmas Day” I retorted “Shouldn't you be at home watching The Sound of Music?”
"You’d think so wouldn’t you, My folks are both asleep in front of the TV and I had sole control of the remote, and I suddenly got the notion I should come and get the church ready for tomorrows service” even she seemed surprised by her answer.
Apart from running the general store and post office Charli was also the church warden.
Her late husband Tony had been the Vicar.
Charli was the same age as me give or take a month or two, I was thirty and she was a month short of that milestone.
And like me she was born and bred in the village.
She had married Tony shortly after he got the job as Vicar he was quite a few years older than her but she loved him to distraction, and you can’t argue with love.
She was devastated when he had a heart attack in the church and died.
That was shortly after he had performed the wedding ceremony for Gina and I.
I had seen a lot of her since I came back to stay with my parents in the village.
I suppose I sought her out because of our history together and I knew she would understand how it felt to lose someone.
And maybe help me come to terms with the grief.
We had talked it through endlessly and had burnt the midnight oil many times.
And some of the old feelings I had for her had come to the surface, for which I felt immensely guilty and disloyal to Gina’s memory.
“You look like you could do with a hot drink," she said opening the door
"No I won’t come in thanks" I said
"It’s Christmas, you could call a truce for the sake of the day at least”
"Ok" I relented and hesitantly followed her into the church.
The most overwhelming feeling washed over me.
It was one of great happiness as I remembered that wonderful day when Gina and I were married.
I would have expected to feel sorrow at the memory but it was pure joy I felt and immense pride.
I took off my hat, scarf and gloves and I know it will sound silly but the moment I crossed the threshold into the sanctuary of the church I’d felt a weight lift from me.
Charli had gone into a side room and switched on the light but I found I was walking down the aisle towards the altar where I paused briefly before an effigy of the saint and then sat down on the front pew.
Mistletoe And Miracles (Part Three)
When I got up from the front pew I found all the anger and resentment had washed away I felt more positive than I had in weeks and I felt I could even look forward.
I stood up and smiled at St Jane and went in search of the drink I was offered.
I found Charli in the little kitchen sat at a small table and she looked up at me and smiled and as I walked in I returned her smile.
"Is this mine?" I asked pointing at a mug by the kettle
"Yes" she replied "but I’ll make you a fresh one”
“No this will be fine” I said and took a sip “urgh”
“I told you” Charli said laughing
“How long was I sitting out there?” I asked her
She checked her watch
“About forty minutes”
“I’m sorry” I said “it only seemed like two or three”
“So how do you feel?” she enquired
“Surprisingly good” I replied and sat down “St Jane was very helpful”
“Yes she is isn’t she” Charli said as she re-boiled the kettle
“I’m still angry that I didn’t get to say goodbye to her” I admitted
“I know that feeling” Charli retorted
“We had such a short time together, we should have had decades, and instead we only had months”
And then I surprised myself when I smiled at her and added
“But those months were so special and so filled with joy that the time we had together was priceless”
“Amen to that” Charli said
“Which is precisely what you’ve been telling me all these weeks” I confessed
“Uh huh” she responded and we sat and drank our coffee in a comfortable silence.
Charli’s flicked her eyes upwards and caused me to do the same and I saw the mistletoe hanging above the table then she leant across the table and kissed me.
After the kiss it was me who broke the silence
"So do you have someone special in your life?”
"Do you mean a boyfriend?” she replied
"Yes" I said
"I was kind of hoping you might want the job” Charli said
“I think I would” I said and reached across the table and took hold of her hand.
“If you’ll have me”
She leant across the table and kissed me again this time it was a long lingering sensual kiss.
“Are we allowed to do that in church?” I asked
“Only on Christmas Day” she replied and kissed me again.
She locked up the Church and we stepped out from the shelter of the porch and the snow had abated but it was still falling and I smiled as it accumulated on top of her hat.
I offered her my hand which she accepted gladly and then I walked her home hand in hand through the snow.
Her parents’ house was only two doors down from mine so walking her home wasn’t out of the way not that it would have made any difference if she had lived on the other side of the village.
We stopped by the front gate and stood facing each other and I leant in and kissed her, her response was immediate and yielding.
It was a long purposeful kiss full of tenderness and hope for the future.
When I reluctantly broke away I said
“I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Yes” Charli replied and went up the path, pausing at the door to turn and wave before she went inside.
“Are you alright dear?” Mum asked with concern
“Yes” I said and smiled “I rather think I am”
And the effect on her was instant as the worry and anxiety melted away and she looked five years younger in an instant.
“I’m so glad” she said and rushed forward to hug me.
I have to admit I have given a good deal of reflective thought about exactly what happened that snowy Christmas Day afternoon.
Was it coincidence that I chose to walk in the direction of St Jane’s Church, or that I needed to take shelter precisely as I passed its sanctuary, or that Charli would open the door to leave just as I stood sheltering beneath the porch?
And what possessed her to leave the warmth and comfort of her parent’s cozy fireside on Christmas Day to tidy a cold and draughty Church.
I know what I believe and as to what transpired between me and the Saint as I sat on that Church pew is between me, St Jane and God.
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
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
Monday, 28 November 2016
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
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
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