Merry Christmas, everybody. We just finished putting up our lights.

Below is my all-time favorite Christmas scene from a movie, even including It's A Wonderful Life. Few people now realize what a sad song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was when it was first sung by Judy Garland in the timeless Meet Me In Saint Louis. It was a lullaby meant to cheer both the singer and the listener at a time of loss and uncertainty. It reminds us to try to enjoy Christmas: hope for better times if we're down, or time again someday with lost loved ones. This Christmas I dedicate it to my brother-in-law, Curt, who just lost his best friend in a shooting accident.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, everybody. "Muddle through somehow."

(For some reason it can't be shared, so you'll have to click on the link above and view it at Youtube.)

A Christmas Postscript

I know it's way past Christmas, but I just got around to trolling my favorite blogs. This post, found at my sister's blog, is by far my favorite Christmas image. I'm one of those people who can't get excited about anything Christmassy after Christmas--but this one got me.

If you've ever lived in a big city, then you should know that "The Big Issue" mentioned here in Sara's post is the small daily paper sold by homeless individuals to earn money. There is a paper like it in every big city. They must register, and wear ID, and receive about 1/2 of the cost of the paper (usually about $1, or £1). We used to buy at least one a day. So Sara is right: this is quite the Santa. He gave the wide-eyed Harriet a Christmas gift by being Santa when he didn't have to be. I imagine she gave him a gift by wanting her photo with him. And, as Sara says, I hope he found the gift of a place to sleep that night.

A Feeling of Christmas

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.  In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.

But

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? No--children climbing on the mother, tired.

In the air there's that feeling of Christmas.

Will you have a merry little Christmas? Let your heart be light? Though this day your troubles aren't out of sight, still--

In the air’s a feeling of Christmas.

You heard the bells, pre-Christmas day, their old familiar carols play.  

In the air twas a feeling of Christmas.

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, “throw cares away.”  

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.

And though yesterday you bowed your head, "there is no peace for me," you said, still

In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.

"Joy to the world!" the bells peel deep.  "God is not dead nor doth he sleep.' 

For in you there's a courage at Christmas.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and rescue me--He did.  He will. 

In Him there's a feeling of Christmas.

So

“Let there be peace on earth,” you say, “at least inside of me, today.  

In me there's a feeling of Christmas.”

“Yes, angels I HAVE heard on high, and Bethlehem so still DID lie, and 

in the air was a feeling of Christmas.”

Have your merry little Christmas now. Decide to muddle through somehow.  

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.

And Christmas Eve will find you where the love lights glow, you will be home for Christmas, if only you and He know.  

In you there's a feeling of Christmas.