1. When Christmas Comes to Town (Jingle Bells) [Refrain:] Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun to ride a horse drawn carriage or a sleigh. In the air, everywhere – how I love that sound. A million angels get their wings when Christmas comes to down. Dashing through the slow or riding in the sun, north or south, those jingle bells are heard by everyone. Horses head to toe with lots of shiny bells, and every door on every store has jingle bells as well. [Repeat Refrain]. A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride on a horse drawn rig, my sweetheart by my side. The horse was hot to trot, and spoiling for a run. I think that horse loved jingle bells as much as any one. [Repeat Refrain].

2. Old Fashioned Christmas We don’t have a sleigh, but the old John Deer will do. Let’s cover up a wagon with some hay; put on your long johns and your boots. And we’ll limp around this lazy town singing the songs we long to hear. Let’s have an old fashioned Christmas this year. [Refrain:] Old fashioned Christmas – let’s all gather round the tree, and find some Christmas magic in our friends and family, exchanging gifts, a hug or kiss, with those that we hold dear. Let’s have an old fashioned Christmas for Christmas this year. I think I’ll put the kettle on and heat some mulled wine up. That homemade eggnog sure was good, won’t you pass me another cup? Let’s get a fire going and do some mistletoeing in the Christmas atmosphere. Let’s have an old fashioned Christmas this year. [Repeat Refrain]. Christmas doesn’t call for much, just a half a cup of peace, a tablespoon of goodwill, and a pinch of humanity -- that’s the old Christmas recipe. [Repeat Refrain].

3. Santa Claus Got Stuck Inside the Chimney The Christmas back when I was six was one that I will not forget; it started in the ordinary way. On Christmas eve I left a snack before I went to hit the sack -- three cookies and some milk upon a tray. When morning came I went downstairs and saw the many presents there. My daddy built a fire in the hearth, but instead of going up, the soot and smoke came pouring in the room, chasing all of us out to the yard. My daddy went up on the roof to see if he could clean the flu. I saw him look into the chimney stack. I said, “Hey Dad, what do you see?” My Momma said, “Be careful please! And standing up my daddy hollered back, “Santa Claus is stuck inside the chimney. Old Saint Nick is trapped inside the brick. I guess the reindeer and the sleigh gave it up and flew away, leaving poor old Santa in a fix.” Dad said, “throw me some butter dear; let’s see if he’ll slide out of here”. She gave him some and Daddy set to work. Daddy quickly spread the lard and when he started pulling hard, out of the chimney Santa Claus did squirt. Now, Santa’s rosy cheeks were red as he looked down at us and said, “I’m sorry folks for causing such a fuss. I had 5 million treats you see before the cookies you left me. I guess 5 million three was just too much.” He whistled and his sleigh appeared along with 8 happy reindeer. He yelled out “Hallelujah” as he left. And from that day, on Christmas Eve, instead of leaving tasty treats, I leave a tub of yogurt out instead. Cause Santa Claus got stuck inside the chimney; old Saint Nick got trapped inside the brick. The reindeer and the sleigh gave it up and flew away, leaving poor old Santa in a fix.

4. Three Ships I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day in the morning. The passengers, they waived and cheered, and we in turn, and we in turn. The passengers, they waived and cheered, on Christmas day in the morning. [Refrain:] White sails billowing full in the breeze, proud bows bouncing along in the sea, spiriting loved ones back home again. Like Santa’s sleigh flush full with gifts were these 3 ships, were these 3 ships. Like Santa’s sleigh flush full with gifts on Christmas day in the morning. [Repeat Refrain]. Like angels bending near the earth, winging to port, winging to port. Like angels bending near the earth, on Christmas day in the morning. [Repeat Refrain]. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day, spiriting loved ones back home again.

5. The Stained Glass Ornament Last year taking down the Christmas tree, a precious ornament, a tiny stainless window fell and shattered on the floor. She swept the pieces up and placed them in a plastic bag, thinking she’d glue the pieces back in place once more. A year goes by, she finds the bag, and sets down to repair, but then finds not all are there -- there is a missing piece. The pieces that remain she reassembles in the tiny frame, then hangs her recreation on the tree. [Refrain:] Something may be different, something may have changed, something may be missing, maybe something rearranged. This year may not be the same as past years, but it's clear that Christmas can be beautiful; it still can be quite beautiful this year. The stained glass ornament catches the light just as it always has, refracting and reflecting Christmas magic as before. The missing piece while missed can’t keep the Christmas light from shining, and what’s new becomes tradition more and more. Life is ever changing, nothing will stand still or last for long, and Christmas just like us adjusts if we allow it to. So, here’s to Christmas – open up your broken heart and let it fill you with a sense of peace and joy anew. [Repeat Refrain]. So no matter where you are and whomever you are with, let the moment and your company be your Christmas gifts. Let the past stay in the past, so the new can enter in. There’s no reason that the season can’t be wonderful again. [Repeat Refrain].

6. Under the Mistletoe [Refrain:] Honey, let’s go under the mistletoe. Under the mistletoe, let’s go, just you and I. Cause Honey you know some Christmas magic’s gonna show if we go stand below where the mistletoe is tied. The Christmas tree is all done up; how I love those Christmas lights. But all that I can see right now is their reflection in your eyes. [Repeat Refrain]. Sitting by the fireplace getting cozy next to you, but we both know that there’s another fire that needs tending to. If we surrender to the spell, what will happen next who knows? But whatever comes, we’ll just blame it on the magic of the mistletoe -- we’re just going with the flow. Honey, please don’t say “No”. [Repeat Refrain].

7. All I Want for Christmas All I want for Christmas is peace on Christmas day, that for one day the tools of war could all be put away. My Christmas wish, my Christmas prayer, is that peace would blossom everywhere. All I want for Christmas is peace on Christmas day. All I want for Christmas is for the world to share a meal, that just for once every hungry mouth might eat its fill. My Christmas wish, my Christmas prayer, is that Christmas dinner could be fair. All I want for Christmas is for the world to share a meal. All I want for Christmas is for love to have its way, that hatred could be overcome, if only for one day. My Christmas wish, my Christmas prayer, is the world would have a love affair. All I want for Christmas is for love to have its way. Of all that’s on my Christmas list, for these three things the most I wish. And if one more thing I could ask, it’s that these wishes three could last. All I want for Christmas is Christmas.

8. Every Day’s a Holiday with You [Refrain:] Every day’s a holiday with you, Dear. Every day’s a holiday with you. Every day throughout the year is like Christmas when you’re near. Santa has been good to me it’s true. That’s because every day’s a holiday with you, Dear. Every day’s a holiday with you. A holiday is not so much a time or place. It’s rather more about our state of mind, and whatever state we’re in, my Love, I’d say, I’m feeling holiday-ish all the time; that’s because [Repeat refrain]. We could go to Bali or to Ecuador. We could go to Cape Town or Pari(s). We could go to Philly or to Baltimore, or to Cozumel, it’s all the same to me; that’s because [Repeat refrain]. We don’t have to away to have holiday. Every day throughout the year is like Christmas with you, Dear. Yes, every day’s a holiday with you it’s true. Every day’s a holiday with you.

9. It’s Beginning to Feel Christmas Got a feeling, kind of hard to describe -- like a fire burning deep down inside, warming me up from within like a cup of hot cocoa. Funny how it always seems to appear just about the same time every year. [Refrain:] It’s beginning to feel like Christmas, beginning to feel like Christmas, beginning to feel like Christmas again. Bells are ringing, people singing those old familiar songs. I just can’t help myself but to sing along. This world looks peaceful in the soft candlelight, illuminating everything in the night. The air is rich with the smell of fresh evergreen. People smiling when they pass in the park, as they share that once-a-year kind of spark. [Repeat Refrain]. Memories stirring, thoughts recurring of Christmases gone by. Traces of faces and places awaken to life. So if a tear drop should come to my eye; if I grow quiet, you’ll understand why. [Repeat Refrain].

10. I Heard the Bells I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet, the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to all. And in despair, I bowed my head; “There’s no peace on earth”, I said, for hate is strong that mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to all. [Refrain:] Peace on earth, good will to all – for centuries now, the clarion call. Though through the years so rarely seen, this remains our Christmas dream. Then peels the bells more loud and deep; hope’s not dead or in retreat. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to all. [Repeat Refrain]. I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet, the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to all. Our dreams at last shall come to pass – of peace on earth, good will to all.

11. Just You and Me and the Christmas Tree [Refrain:] Just you and me and Christmas tree; this year we are on our own. There’s no gathering of the family, so we’re spending it here alone. Not too many gifts this Christmas underneath the tree, but when all is said and done, My Love, your presence is all I need. There’s a fire in the fireplace, the lights are turned down low. Just the shimmer of the Christmas tree and the fire’s peaceful glow. No children’s footsteps to be heard; all is quiet but the sound of the radio reminding us that Santa’s on his way to town. [Repeat Refrain]. No lavish dinner to attend, no banquet to prepare. This year we will be satisfied with less assuming fare. A long-stemmed rose, a glass of wine, small plates and candlelight -- the kind of meal just perfect for a late December night. [Repeat Refrain].

12. A Christmas Story: Christmas on Concourse C I was flying to St. Louis from D.C. on Christmas Eve, looking forward to a chance to be with family. Just a stop in Pittsburgh, and then I’d be on my way, with time to spare to reach the family farm on Christmas day. In our descent to Pittsburgh I saw snowflakes coming down, and by the time we landed drifts were forming on the ground. I gathered my belongings and deplaned at Concourse A, and found there that connecting flights all had been delayed. Mine was to leave from Concourse C, so I made my way down there, and amidst a disappointed crowd, found myself a chair. Hours passed and soon enough it was midnight Christmas Eve. Christmas day had come but we were stuck on Concourse C. A flight attendant whose name was Nick announced, "I have some news. They’ve shut us down at least till dawn to let the storm pass through. To make things worse we’re told the airport hotels are sold out. With the roads outside bad as they are we’re staying here, no doubt." A groan went up, then followed by a cellular phone-fest. When that calmed down, our thoughts soon turned to how to get some rest. We gave the chairs to children and folks seventy or more. For the rest of us, our silent night was spent there on the floor. [Refrain:] Now I’ve got lots of Christmas memories of family round the tree, but none stands out more vividly than the year on Concourse C. I stirred from sleep at six before most others were awake. Checking out the crowd, I saw some kids on winter break, a pregnant mom, a soldier maybe coming home from war, a fellow in a wheel chair, and a pretty girl who snored. And by and by that fellow Nick came wheeling in a cart loaded up with coffee, tea and fancy breakfast tarts. He said, "It will hours still before the runway’s cleared, so it looks as though we’ll have to spend our Christmas morning here." Another round of cell phone calls, a child began to cry. I heard somebody muttering, "Why, dear God, oh why?" Nick looked at the small guitar that I take on the road. "Pull that out," he said, "let’s try to lighten up load." I strummed a chord on my guitar, and before we were through, two hours had passed and we’d sung every Christmas song we knew. It turned out that "White Christmas" was the last song on the list. A woman laughed and said, "We should be careful what we wish…." [Repeat Refrain]. Someone said "Let’s share a little bit about ourselves, and maybe share a favorite Christmas memory as well." As we went around the room the warmth among us grew. Each life there was a story, and a beautiful one too. We stopped with Julio who said a month ago that day his wife and mate for 50 Christmases had passed away. He fell silent after that, maybe couldn’t find the words, or maybe all his Christmas memories had died with her. Choking back her tears, Coretta said, "Here’s an idea -- let’s play that secret Santa game with the few stores open here." We drew names and set out feeling playful, but inspired, and never were there Christmas gifts more thoughtfully acquired. When we returned we found that Nick had readied us a feast -- the very best cuisine that could be found on Concourse C. He even served us turkey – it was on pizza, but that’s alright. And there was pumpkin for dessert, but muffins instead of pie. As we broke bread together, the spirit among us swelled, and when we turned to sharing gifts the teardrops freely fell. But then Nick called out "Folks, we’re told that we’re free to fly again. But no need to break the party up – let’s just move it to the plane." [Repeat Refrain]. On the plane we all got up when the seatbelt sign went off. What started there on Concourse C we didn’t want to stop. Nick somehow got us free drinks; we toasted everyone, and I pulled out my guitar and we sang a few more songs. When we took our seats to land the party became hushed, as the wonder of the day began to dawn on each of us. We heard Nick on the intercom say, "Listen everyone -- Julio here would like to say a word before we’re done." Julio said, in faltering voice, as he took the microphone, "Truth is friends, I’d planned to spend this Christmas home alone. But instead I spent my day with you on Concourse C, perhaps the greatest Christmas gift I ever have received." It was down in Lambert’s baggage claim that we said our good-byes. There were heart-felt bear hugs all around and lots of misty eyes. Nick passed around a contact sheet, and gave us copies for the road. The luggage came but still we stayed, not wanting to let go. [Repeat Refrain]. It was two a.m. on Christmas night when I reached the family farm. Everyone had gone to bed but the fire still was warm. I stirred around some embers still aglow while deep in the thought, recalling all the magic that this Christmas day had brought. I guess you can’t put Christmas in a box and keep it there. Christmas is a wildflower that’ll blossom anywhere. While still I hope to spend my Christmas days with family, perhaps my richest Christmas yet was there on Concourse C.