THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS IN THE SMOKIES (2015)

 

Christmas in the Smokies is a modern day tale of love and faith set in Tennessee’s Smokey Mountains.

Clinging to the only life she's ever known, a headstrong Shelby Haygood (Sarah Lancaster) and her loving parents Wade and Annie (Barry Corbin and Rebecca Koon) find themselves on the verge of losing the family's berry farm to an impending retail expansion.

Over what could be their last Christmas on the farm Shelby tries every avenue possible to save the farm.

But after the bank, pressurised by the developer, Mr. Baxter (Brett Rice) say that they will have to seize the property after the holidays, her last chance is to throw a Christmas concert on the farm, headlined by her former love, a ne'er-do-well country music superstar Mason Wyatt (Alan Powell)

As the day of the concert approaches, they all must learn the value of family, faith and community-before time runs out.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 13 - O HOLY NIGHT

 

O HOLY NIGHT

Lyrics by Placide Cappeau and Music by Adolphe Adam

 

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

 

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

 

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

 

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

 

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

 

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

 

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

 

The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry, about a young married couple and the challenge of secretly buying Christmas gifts for each other on a shoestring budget.

It is an endearing and sentimental tale with a moral message about unselfishness and thoughtfulness.

 

With virtually no money to spend on gifts Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Dellas lovely hair and Della seels her hair to buy a chain for Jims watch.

So they end up with useless gifts they cannot use but as a result have given each other the most precious gift in the world, their love.

FALL OF THE SNOWMAN

 

Here is a thought of little worth

Snowmen start their fall to earth

From Heaven above unassembled

And like a snow globe it resembled

But if a snowman were then desired

Some assembly would be required

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS CATCH (2018)

 

After a disastrous Christmas singles mixer Detective Mackenzie Bennett (Emily Alatalo) meets Carson (Franco Lo Presti) and they instantly connect.

However the next morning Captain Bennett (Lauren Holly), who just happens to be Mac’s mother to boot, and FBI Agent Robinson (Genelle Williams) inform her that he is a suspected diamond thief, and she has to go undercover to catch him in the act.

While undercover, Mack not only falls for Carson, she begins to suspect that he's been framed, but could that be right or are her feelings clouding her judgment.

Christmas Catch is an excellent mix of humour romance and Christmas, one not to be missed and Emily Alatalo is perfect in the role.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 10 - Santa baby

 

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 tenth selection.

 

“Santa baby” written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Fred Ebb and performed by Eartha Kitt

 

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
been an awful good girl,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.
I'll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good,
If you'll check off my Christmas list,

Santa baby, I wanna yacht,
And really that's not a lot,
Been an angel all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa honey, there's one thing I really do need,
The deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your 'X' on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me,

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS STORIES – CHRISTMAS NOVELLA # 5 - The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, A Fancy for Christmas-Time

 

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain, A Fancy for Christmas-Time was written by Charles Dickens.

It’s perhaps more often known as The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain or even just as The Haunted Man.

It was the fifth and final Christmas novella and was first published in 1848.

It is more a story about the spirit of Christmas than about Christmas itself, in the same style as A Christmas Carol, the first in the series of Christmas books.

But instead of Ebeneezer Scrrooge the story centers on a Professor Redlaw and those close to him.

Redlaw, a teacher of chemistry is an embittered man who often broods over wrongs done him and grief from his past life.

He is haunted by a spirit, who takes away all of his grief and sorrows but without them he develops uncontrollable anger and bitterness as he interacts with those from in his sphere.

The moral of the tale is that you have to remember past sorrows and wrongs done to you and forgive those responsible.

The novel concludes with everyone back to normal and Redlaw, like Ebenezer, a changed man.