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
Tuesday, 6 December 2016
Monday, 5 December 2016
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
“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
Sunday, 4 December 2016
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
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
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
Friday, 2 December 2016
The First Works Christmas Party
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.
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.
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
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