Merry Christmas 2009!

I mean just what tht title says! This will be my last post before Christmas Day, as I'll be crazy busy tomorrow with holiday preparation. Plus, my 6-year-old daughter (who's awesome, BTW) will be singing with our church choir at a special children's mass on Christmas Eve. Go Megan!

Today I just have a few last-minute clips, but they're by no means throwaways. First, a lovely home movie from an anonymous person who set it to music. This captures perfectly the way we want Christmas to be. And if we're lucky, they way our Christmases were and are.



Next, a great song from a great special. Here is Bob McGrath singing "Keep Christmas With You" from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. I'd also like to dedicate this to the late Alaina Reed Hall, who played Olivia for over a decade on the show. She passed away on December 17th at the age of 63 after a long bout with breast cancer.



Finally, a Me and You Christmas tradition, because it deserves to be.



I'll check back in a couple of times next week, as I'm home all week on Christmas vacation. Home with family and friends, the way God intended.

I truly wish all of you a blessed, Merry Christmas!

Gift of Ages

Today's post is a very special one, and one that I've been looking forward to for a month now. This video is called "Gift of Ages," and was made by someone on DeviantArt.com. There's really nothing I can say except this is one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a really long time. I literally cried the first time I saw it. Simply watch and be moved!

Spirit of Christmas, "The Nativity"

Just three days left! Here is the second part of the Bell Telephone-produced special The Spirit of Christmas, this time presenting "The Nativity." Even with marionettes, the story is beautiful. Enjoy!

Spirit of Christmas, "The Night Before Christmas"

Today I present part of an old special from the 1950s that aired in many cities and was sponsored and produced by Bell Telephone, which back then was the one phone company in the nation. The entire special was "enacted" by marionettes. My mother loves this special and remembers it fondly. Here is part one of the special, a recreation of the classic poem "A Visit From Saint Nicolas" aka "The Night Before Christmas." Enjoy!

Christmas Silent Film Scrapbook

Here is a quaint collection of silent film featuring Christmas scenes from the early 20th century. I love seeing footage from Christmases long past. Thanks!

Motivational Santa

With Christmas just a week away, you may need a bit of motivation to finish your holiday preparation. Look no further than Matt Foley, your motivational Santa. This is one of my favorite skits from Saturday Night Live by the late great Chris Farley. Enjoy!

Eric Cartman, "O Holy Night"

Many of the Christmas items I've posted on the blog the last two years have been heartwarming, life-affirming treats. This is not one of them.

Please enjoy famous tenor Eric Cartman of South Park fame with his barely coherent version of the solemn classic "O Holy Night," with help from good friend Kyle--and a cattle prod.



For more South Park Christmas fun, click here.