Justin Bieber - Drummer Boy

Westwood - Grace Episcopal Church in Westwood invites all to join its congregation for a joyful celebration of Christmas. The parish will offer services of celebration and thanksgiving on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at 4 p.m. and at 11 p.m. holiday choral music will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The church will celebrate on Christmas Day with the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. in the morning.

The 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service will be a family Eucharist with the church's annual Christmas Pageant. In the pageant, the youth of the parish will enact and tell of the story of the first Christmas, of Mary and Joseph and then the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem with the animals. At 11 p.m., the parish will celebrate its traditional "midnight" festal mass, preceded by a vigil of music from the choir and singing by the congregation, followed by the story of Christmas.

On Christmas morning at 9 a.m., the church will celebrate the Holy Eucharist and hear the Christmas day readings from scripture. This will a simple quiet service of thanksgiving and is a special way of marking the holiness of this day.

On Dec. 27, Grace Church will also mark the season with its Annual Service of Lessons and Carols at both 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Those attending this service will hear the traditional Bible passages regarding the birth of Jesus. Accompanying these readings are many of the traditional and favorite carols and hymns of the season. Lastly, Grace Church will celebrate the New Year, known to Christians as the Feast of the Holy Name, with mass at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Anyone looking for a way to celebrate the traditions of Christmas and the joy of the season is invited and welcome during this season of peace and good will. For more information about the services or for directions, call the church office at 201-664-0407. Grace Episcopal Church is located at Five Corners in Westwood, the corner of Kinderkamack Road and Harrington Avenue just across from the fireman's memorial.

Justin Bieber - Drummer Boy --> printable sheet music

The stockings are hung,

the carols are being sung.

My heart is filled with joy,

along with every girl and boy.

It's really hard to go to sleep, 

you want to go and take a peep. 

And, when you're finally in bed, 

visions of Santa dance in your head. 

Your stockings are overflowing, 

everyone's face is glowing. 

You must open family presents first,

you're so excited you just might burst. 

Then Santa's are the next to go, 

you tear off the wrapping and the bow. 

You rip them open one by one, seeing toy after toy, 

each filled with fun. 

Once your thank-yous have been said, 

you are definitely ready for bed. 

You tell everyone good-night, 

and your heart becomes light. 

And while in bed,

the day dances in your head. 

You thank the Lord for today,

while you slowly drift away.

Justin Bieber - Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas

I've been waiting for Christmas,

And it's almost here. 

I've been waiting for Christmas, 

Santa's getting near.

Can't you hear the sleigh bells ringing?

Reindeer up so high.

Can't you hear the children singing, 

As they watch the sky?  

Justin Bieber - Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas -->printable sheet music

Celebrating Christmas in our country is still old-fashioned and not tainted by Yuletide commercialism.

I’m not celebrating the Christmas season, but for me, the best thing about celebrating Christmas Eve is just to have the family complete on that day and have a peaceful day with them. This is also the time where the family will have a good relationship to each other. Be careful not to use any harmful thing that can cause death and damages in the family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The best thing about celebrating Christmas is that you are with your loved ones and families and friends .

The best thing about celebrating Christmas is family togetherness. Instead of family members spending Christmas  elsewhere,   they see to it that they’re with the family during the media noche, which strengthens family bonding. Children who kiss the hands of their elders for gifts is also an appealing tradition that cannot be found in other countries.

At the twilight of my life, I won’t trade the chance to spend my few remaining years with my family this Christmas for anything.

The best thing about celebrating Christmas in RP is that you get to spend the holidays with family, and, if you’re in the province, the whole clan. Objectively, it’s the only affair that makes everything almost perfect, as everybody comes rushing home. I’ve instilled in my kids the practice of not going and asking for gifts from godparents. That practice served well a purpose in my kids. They grew up knowing that godparents are not there for gifts but for words and, just like their parents, to guide them the whole year through. As a whole, Christmas, with or without the fanfare, as long as spent in your motherland, is special in itself. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Justin Bieber - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

A good time is coming, I wish it were here, 

The very best time in the whole of the year 

I'm counting each day on my fingers and thumbs 

the weeks that must pass before Santa Claus comes. 

Then when the first snowflakes begin to come down, 

And the wind whistles sharp and the branches are brown, 

I'll not mind the cold, though my fingers it numbs, 

For it brings the time nearer when Santa Claus comes.

Justin Bieber - Santa Claus is Coming to Town -->printable sheet music

We may not have the money to have as colorful and decorative Christmas as upper class have do's, but we have each other. That’s what counts.

Christmas means merry-making. It’s the time for happiness, gift-giving and whole-night parties as if there is no more tomorrow. Sadly, most people fail to realize that what they are celebrating is not the season, but the reason for the season. That is the reason why only few go to church to thank the Lord for the many graces given. Even if they are in church physically, the mind tends to wander somewhere else.

Family reunions top all the good things that Christmas brings all of us, during which we celebrate the happiest season of the year and love flourishes everywhere.

Notwithstanding the hard times, the long holidays will afford the family longer hours of togetherness and bonding. Reunions will take center stage.

It’s celebrating Christmas back in the old house that holds our childhood memories and being reunited with our parents, relatives and old friends.

No matter the circumstances, in thunder, lightning or rain, we come home for Christmas ,to renew family ties or see old familiar faces. No elaborate preparations are necessary; a pot of burnt corn coffee and a loaf of bread or a roast turkey completes the merry occasion.

Christmas is a day of joy, not just for kids but grown-ups, too. We were taught that Dec. 25 is the day Jesus Christ was born, only to learn later on that it was just a compromise between King Constantine and the pagans for the latter to become Christians. It has been a tradition ever since the time of Padre Damaso to celebrate Dec. 25 as the birth date of the Lord Jesus, lest we feel sinful. Even if we are neck-deep in debt, we give candies or loose change to caroling kids who sing carols at our door. At home, to welcome the coming of the Messiah, even if we miss meals on some days because of economic hardship, our table will have , bread and some fruits, gingerbread cookies, and we will greet each other “Merry Christmas!”

Justin Bieber - All I Want for Christmas is You

Christmas is a time for love and fun,

A time to reshape souls and roots and skies,

A time to give your heart to everyone

Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,

Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs

Show need of such a time for love and fun.

For children first, whose pain is never done,

Whose bright white fire of anguish never dies,

It's time to give your heart to every one,

That not one angel fall, to hatred won

For lack of ears to listen to her cries,

Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

Or friends to care what happens on the run

To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.

Is time to give your heart to everyone,

For God loves all, and turns His back on none,

Good or twisted, ignorant or wise.

Christmas is a time for love and fun,

 A time to give your heart to everyone.


Justin Bieber - All I Want for Christmas is You --> printable sheet music 

According to “The Truth about Christmas,” an incisive essay on Christmas published in the December 2010 edition of Awake, Christmas celebration has spread to non-Christian countries such as China, Thailand, Nigeria, Tunisia and Turkey.

The article reports that in the West “Christmas is now largely secular and commercial, with many ads blatantly targeted at children.” Millions of Christians still go to church on Christmas day. However, it is the stunning-decorated shopping malls playing Christmas carols that have become the new temples. As a result of relentless commercialization, people are confused and worried over how to buy Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Some of them will borrow money to meet the expectations of family members and friends.

No doubt that Christmas, which is supposed to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ, the most iconic spiritual teacher in human history (according to Christians), has evolved into a celebration of  modern materialism, debauchery and razzmatazz.

But, how did this come about? Is it connected to the largely non-Christian origin of Christmas itself? Was Jesus actually born on Christmas day, that is, 25th of December? What are the historical origins of Christmas?

Justin Bieber - Home This Christmas

May this Christmas be the first of many, Each more joyous in our growing love, Revealing more of happiness than any Riches might provide or pain remove. Years flow like an unrepentant river, Carrying the soil of life away, Holding far more than they can deliver, Rushing past the certitudes that stay. In love there is an instance of forever So shy and lovely it eludes the eye, The sense of being home when we're together, More enduring than a reason why. As love is born of passion, borne by will, So may for many years we choose love still.

Justin Bieber -  Home This Christmas --->   printable sheet music

From home to home and heart to heart,

From one place to another,

The warmth and joy of Christmas,

Brings us closer to each other.

For a region  where Christians are a minority, Asia has a lot of Christmas.

Jingle Bells is as likely to haunt shoppers in malls in Buddhist Bangkok or Islamic Jakarta as it is in London or New York.

And in the background can be heard the massed ringing of cash-registers in China's southern Guangdong province, Santa's modern grotto, which exported four billion dollars-worth of toys in the first nine months of this year.

While it is mainly the commercial and festive charms of Christmas that have worked their way into end of year celebrations in Asian countries, the region's Christians keep the religious traditions alive.

In the Philippines, where some 80 percent of the population of about 94 million are Catholics, the season begins with nine pre-dawn masses from December 16 and ends with the celebration of Epiphany in January.

"The green Santa Claus does not necessarily give out gift boxes to children, but he tells them how precious the natural environment is," said Shoko Ito, director of the Green Santa Foundation.

"Instead of giving gift boxes, he promises children a peaceful and beautiful Christmas time in the future," Ito said.

The group, which deploys a traditional Santa with a long white beard but clad in a green outfit, raises funds to conserve forests and gives lectures on environmental issues at schools.

In South Korea, by contrast, children eagerly await Christmas Eve when parents -- whether among the country's 13.7 million Christians or not -- shower them with gifts in the name of Santa Claus.

Residents of the southwestern city of Jeonju will also be watching to see if a secret Santa -- who has donated more than 81 million won ($69,500) since 2000 -- will visit again this year.

He has regularly left donations for needy residents -- phoning in anonymous tips about where the cash can be found -- but has never been spotted, local media report.

In communist Vietnam, with about six million Catholics in a population of 86 million, some churches in the capital Hanoi have been brightly decorated with lights and red bunting and carols can be heard in the evenings.

But the commercial side of the festival has also made its mark. Outside one bar a giant Santa stands on a bed of fluffy fake snow -- clutching to his belly a monstrous can of beer.

Glitzy Hong Kong, however, has produced a real live Santa who in a recent competition in northern Sweden beat contestants from around the world in the traditional skills of chimney climbing, gift wrapping and reindeer racing.

A jubilant Johnny Wong, a 38-year-old magician who had never seen snow before the contest and does not speak much English, wished everyone "Happy Christmas" in Cantonese on Swedish television.

While Chinese New Year may be Hong Kong's biggest celebration, the former British colony still celebrates Christmas with gusto a dozen years after its return to China.

The city is festooned with Christmas lights, carols are inescapable in malls and office buildings and some retail workers -- possibly against their will -- have taken to wearing red Santa hats.

Carols, as songs of joy and celebration, can actually be sung at any time of the year but in our modern world, we tend to associate the term "carol" with Christmas. Interestingly enough, what we call Christmas Carols didn't start out as celebrations of Christmas at all, but as pagan celebration songs for the Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year). When early Christians celebrated Christ's birth at the same time, they appropriated the custom of singing the celebration songs and substituted Christian words, sentiments, and prayers for the pagan ones.

One of the earliest Christmas carols is a song known as Angel's Hymn, believed to date from A.D. 129.  Other Christmas hymns appear in the eighth century as part of the Byzantine celebration that begins on Christmas Eve with what's called the Service of the Great Hours. But what we think of as Christmas carols can probably be best attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, who put together Nativity Plays in 1223 and requested that songs, or "canticles," be sung to accompany them. These "carols" then spread through Europe and became the basis of many songs we love today.

Other early carols were only loosely based on the Nativity story and contained such embellishments and "poetic license" that they were much more often sung in homes rather than in churches. Even home singing of carols fell by the wayside for a while, when the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations of any kind. Fortunately, the songs stayed alive, and people passed them along until eventually, in Victorian times, the custom of lavish Christmas celebrations and Christmas carol singing returned.

Now, carols so are much a part of our Christmas holidays that - despite the "overkill" we get of Christmas music at the mall! -most of us have favorite Christmas carols that we love to hear and even sing ourselves. Christmas caroling is alive and well today, too - from groups singing at hospitals, nursing homes, or other public venues to the "flash mob" performance of the Hallelujah Chorus at a major department store. If you get a chance to play or sing Christmas carols, take the opportunity; it's one of the best ways to really get the "Christmas spirit."

White Christmas

At Christmas time I think of all the gifts That bring me great delight and sweet surprise, But nothing in this world can bring such joy As you do, when you look into my eyes. And when I contemplate what Christmas means, The caring and the giving--I confess, You've given me the things I want the most: Your love, your touch, your kiss, your warm caress. The Christmas tree reminds me, with its lights That just the thought of you sets me aglow; You light me up from deep within my heart, Because I cherish you, and love you so. With you it's Christmas all the time, sweetheart. I treasure every hour and every minute. Your love is all I'll ever want because, My life is so fulfilling with you in it.

White Christmas ---> printable sheet music

There was a time in the United States when Christmas played a very different role. It brought people together and did so without any great effort. It was just a normal part of American life. Many of the secular cultural symbols we associate with Christmas are American creations. For instance, the American writer George Pintard added reindeer to Santa’s sleigh in 1821 and Clement Clarke Moore raised the number to eight in his classic poem ‘A Visit From St Nicholas’. Our modern, bearded fat man with his fur-lined suit was the creation of the cartoonist, Thomas Nast, and Santa’s suit is red because the Coca-Cola Company showed it this way in its advertisements. The classic Christmas songs, ‘White Christmas’, ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’, and ‘Silver Bells’ were all written by American composers, who also happened to be Jewish. Indeed, the holiday was celebrated by many Jews and Christians alike, by the native born and by immigrants, all of whom adopted American customs and added some of their own. The holiday even created a Christmas tradition for Jews who didn’t celebrate it, namely going out for Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Day.

I am dreaming of white Christmas,
with every christmas card i write,
May your days be merry and bright,
and May all your christmases be white.
Happy Christmas

Silent Night

"Silent Night" (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) is a popular Christmas carol, composed 1818 in Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO in March 2011.  

	On Christmas Eve 1818 the carol "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" was heard for the first time in a village church in Oberndorf, Austria. As the fame of this carol grew, its whereabouts were slowly forgotten. Myths and fanciful tales gathered around its origins. Only recently the name of the real composer was discovered. Here Bill Egan tells the true history of this beautiful piece of popular music.

Silent Night ---> printable sheet music

This Christmas, may you have the fulfillment of seeing around you the people you love the most. May you have the satisfaction of giving the best gift, special memories that will last forever. This Christmas, may you feel peaceful and contented, knowing what Christmas means to you and celebrating it your way.

Home this Christmas

Holiday time is for feasting;
We look forward to each treat.
The tables are full of our favorite foods;
We’ve got lots of good things to eat.
We scarf marshmallowed sweet potatoes;
There’s cider and eggnog to slurp.
There’s so much going down at once,
Who can help an occasional burp?
Here’s the turkey, dressing and gravy;
Let’s all get down to chewing it,
And if we pass a little gas,
Who’ll notice? Everyone’s doing it.
Dessert is three kinds of pie;
Then pass the box of candy.
Next year will you please remind us
To have Alka-Seltzer handy!

Home This Christms ---> printable sheet music

Caroling, feasting, and gift-giving along with the prayers and wishes – Christmas is celebrated with high spirits in various parts of the world.

It is rather interesting to see how different countries celebrate Christmas. 

In Finland, it is believed that Santa Claus lives in the north part of the country called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. There is even a big tourist theme park called “Christmas Land” in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives.

Christmas Eve is very special, when people eat rice porridge and a sweet soup made from dried fruits (plums, raisins, apples, pears, apricots and figs).

At midday, the “Christmas peace declaration” is broadcast on radio and TV from the Finnish city of Turku by its Mayor.

In Germany, Father Christmas – “Der Weihnachtsmann” – brings presents in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, after people have been to church. The presents are then put under the Christmas tree. One person in the family will ring a bell and call everyone to come to the room. On Christmas Day, fish (carp) or goose will be cooked.

In Hungary, on Christmas eve, children go to their relatives’ house or to the movies, because little Jesus brings the tree and the presents that evening to their house. It is customary to hang edible things on the tree, like golden wrapped assorted chocolates and meringues beside the glass balls, candles (real or electrical), and sparklers.

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated either on Dec 25 or more often on Jan 7. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days.

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away

While quite unselfish,

it grows small.

Melanie Thornton - Wonderful Dream (Holidays Are Coming)

Christmas vacation is great; My time is mine to spend; I can be with friends or watch TV; I wish it would never end. I don't miss school or homework; I really like to be free; But I'll miss you when I'm gone from school; You're just what a teacher should be. So have a perfect Christmas; Be sure to have lots of fun; I look forward to seeing you again, When Christmas vacation is done.  

Melanie Thornton  -  Wonderful Dream --> printable sheet music

Reducing your waste at Christmas will minimise the impact your yuletide celebrations have on both the environment and your wallet.

Do we need to send around 744 million Christmas cards a year, the equivalent of 248,000 trees?.

Make your seasonal greetings more personal and friendly by speaking to your friends, family and colleagues and wishing them a Merry Christmas instead.

If you receive cards, recycle them or reuse them as gift tags. It's fun for kids to make their own cards using recycled resources . Unused cards can be dropped off at recycling bins at WHSmith, TK Maxx and M&S stores as part of the Woodland Trust campaign to recycle cards and plant more trees.

We waste a colossal 125,000 tonnes of plastic over Christmas, so always take a reusable bag when you shop and watch out for the amount of packaging that comes with the food you buy.
Buy loose fruit and vegetables and try to buy local wherever possible. Farmers' markets are a great way of doing this and are a fun, festive day out for the family.

Christmas is not a time nor a season, 

but a state of mind. 

To cherish peace and goodwill, 

to be plenteous in mercy, 

is to have the real spirit of Christmas. 

Taylor Swift - Last Christmas

Somewhere across the winter world tonight
You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;
Christmas extends its all-enfolding light
Across the distance...something we can share.

You will be singing, just the same as I,
These familiar songs we know so well,
And you will see these same stars in your sky
And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,
One shining star upon the topmost bough;
I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see 

Tonight I glimpse beyond the hear and now.

And all the time that we must be apart
I keep a candle in my heart.

Taylor Swift - Last Christmas ---> printable sheet music

American country pop star and actress Taylor Swift turned 22 years old on December 13, 2011. She was born on December 13, 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA.

The 4 time Grammy award winner, Taylor Swift celebrated her 22th birthday by throwing an awesome birthday party at her Nashville home last weekend, with lots of celeb guests on her list like members of Paramore, Parachute and Hot Chelle Rae.

Swift had a great time at her 22th birthday party and was very happy, mingling and laughing with her friends. Swift declared to us that it was the best birthday that she ever had, getting lots of presents and expecting to receive even more for Christmas. She also thanked everybody, including her fans, saying: 'Thank you for all the birthday wishes. You made me feel really special today'.

Taylor Swift is a big fan of Christmas and she has very nice Christmas songs in which you can hear mentioned Christmas words such as ribbons, bows, mistletoe, angel, carol, holy, birthday or presents. Because she loves Christmas a lot, she wishes all her fans Happy Holidays!

Justin Bieber Ft. Boyz II Men - Fa La La

Christmas is a time for love and fun,
A time to reshape souls and roots and skies,
A time to give your heart to everyone
Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,
Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs
Show need of such a time for love and fun.

For children first, whose pain is never done,
Whose bright white fire of anguish never dies,
It's time to give your heart to every one,

That not one angel fall, to hatred won
For lack of ears to listen to her cries,
Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

Or friends to care what happens on the run
To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.
It's time to give your heart to everyone,

For God loves all, and turns His back on none,
Good or twisted, ignorant or wise.
Christmas is a time for love and fun,
A time to give your heart to everyone.

Faith makes all things possible, 

Hope makes all things work,

Love makes all things beautiful. 

May you have all the three for this Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  

Justin Bieber  Ft. Boyz II Men  -  Fa La La ---> printable sheet music

Here are just a few of the traditional Christmas foods enjoyed in the Czech Republic.

Veselé Vánoce! (Merry Christmas!)

Vanocka

This sweet bread is served around Christmas as either a side dish, a dessert, or for Christmas breakfast. It is made with yeast, eggs, flour, butter, milk. The dough also contains raisins and almonds, and is braided like challah. It has a reputation for being difficult to prepare, so in many households, superstitions and special customs are attached to the baking process. At one time in history, vánocka could only be made by a baker who was a guild craftsman.

Fried Carp

The main course served for Christmas dinner in the Czech Republic is fried carp. One week before Christmas, fisherman with their large tanks packed full of carp appear on the streets. Many people buy their carps live and keep them alive until Christmas Eve to be killed and cooked. The custom started in the 16 century when monasteries in southern Bohemia began constructing special fishponds for raising carp during the 40-day Lenten period leading to Easter.

Potato Salad

Potato salad is often accompanied with fried carp which is served for Christmas dinner. There are many versions of this dish but the main ingredients include potatoes, peas, onions, carrots, parsley, celery, pickled gherkins, eggs and mayonnaise.

Moravian Christmas Cookies

Moravian Christmas cookies originated in Moravia, a historic region of the East Czech Republic. These spicy ginger-molasses cookies are often decorated with sugar icing and cut into various shapes to be eaten and hung on Christmas trees.

Vanilla Crescent Rolls

Vanilla crescent rolls or vanilkove rohlicky are a common treat throughout Central and Eastern Europe. In the Czech Republic, these cookies and many other desserts are baked for Christmas. The cookies are usually made with ground almonds or ground walnuts with vanilla sugar sprinkled on top.

Where Are You Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen,
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read,
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
Owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
Because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
With eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

Although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
Said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all's secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight. 

James M. Schmidt wrote this poem back in 1986 while a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., serving as Battalion Counter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th & I under Commandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers [in 1986].

Where are you Christmas ---> SHEET MUSIC 

 

Coldplay - Christmas Lights

Christmas lights are a big part of the festive season. Houses, shops and even the streets are adorned with Christmas lights from early December through to January. Everywhere looks so much nicer lit up with Christmas lights that it is always a sad day when they have to be taken down for another year. Gathering around the Christmas tree to decorate it is one of the biggest traditions that many families have. It is a much anticipated event that children in particular look forward to.

The tradition of Christmas lights goes back a long way. Before even electricity was invented, lit candles would be used in the trees. As far back as the seventeenth century candles were attached to the tree with the use of melted candle wax. It wasn't long before candle holders were used in place of the candle wax. It is not surprising that tree fires were common! It was the latest nineteenth century when the idea of the electric Christmas light was thought of. The assistant of Thomas Edison was the person to think of the soon to be Christmas phenomenon. The idea caught on fast and soon everyone was selling electric Christmas lights. In 1917 a new safety light was produced for the use in Christmas trees following a serious and tragic house fire caused by electric lights. It is these safety lights that have been commonly used all over the world since then.
 


"Christmas Lights" is a song with a melancholy verse attached to a rousing anthemic chorus of hope for redemption. That sounds like exactly what Coldplay would deliver for a holiday record. Well-written lyrics are moving and the music does truly soar with the help of strings behind the band. A melancholy piano-based verse kicks off describing the pain of a relationship that has fallen apart. The song's protagonist seeks distraction and redemption in the commercialism of Christmas shopping. The tempo picks up as we head into the emotional center of the song, "Oh when I'm still waiting for the snow to fall, it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all." A surge of strings and piano is followed by a pause, and then the band and strings erupt into a grand Coldplay chorus spelling out the hope for redemption, "Oh Christmas lights, light up the street. Light up the fireworks in me. May all your troubles soon be gone. Those Christmas lights keep shining on." 

Coldplay - Christmas Lights ---> SHEET MUSIC 


 

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

"Mistletoe" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was written and produced by Nasri, and Adam Messinger. The song was released on October 17, 2011 as the lead single from his second studio album, Under the Mistletoe (2011). "Mistletoe" is a Christmas song with elements of pop and R&B genres, while making use of reggae influences. "Mistletoe" received generally positive reviews from most music critics. The song reached the top ten in Canada, Denmark and Norway, while also reaching the top forty in ten other countries. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Roman White. It features the singer singing on a snowy, lit-up street, resembling the Christmas holiday season.

 

look inside

Mistletoe By Justin Bieber. Piano Vocal. 8 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.354257) ...GET SHEET MUSIC HERE

Glee: The Music - The Christmas Album

Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album is the fourth soundtrack album by the cast of the American musical television series Glee. The album was released on November 9, 2010 and accompanies the season two Christmas episode "A Very Glee Christmas", aired December 7, 2010. Dante Di Loreto and Brad Falchuk serve as the album's executive producers. Critical reception has been mixed, with the majority of professional reviews praising the cover version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" performed by Chris Colfer and guest star Darren Criss, as well as the vocals of Lea Michele and Amber Riley, but questioning the arrangements of some other tracks. The album debuted at the top position of the Billboard Soundtracks chart, as well as peaking at number three on the Billboard 200.

Glee: The Music - The Christmas Album By Various. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook. Softcover. 88 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.313566) ...GET SHEET MUSIC HERE

Vince Guaraldi - Christmas is Coming

A Charlie Brown Christmas is an album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, released in 1965 as the soundtrack to the CBS Christmas television special of the same name. It is among the most popular Christmas music albums of all time. There was also a book-and-record set featuring music, dialogue and stills from the Christmas special released in 1977 on a 33 RPM vinyl record by CBS Records. Fantasy Records first reissued the album on CD in 1986, with a track listing and cover art identical to the original 1965 LP release. In 1988, a new CD version was issued, with updated cover art and "Greensleeves" added as a bonus track. This track features Guaraldi performing as part of a different trio than the one heard on the original eleven songs. This CD version can still be purchased in stores and online with the cover art shown on the right and to the bottom. 

look inside

Charlie Brown Christmas By Vince Guaraldi. For solo piano. Piano Solo Songbook. Jazz, TV and Christmas. SMP Level 7 (Late Intermediate). Songbook. Chord names and illustrations (does not include words to the songs). 40 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.313176) (81) ...GET SHEET MUSIC HERE