"Then spread my thoughts to olden times
To that first of Christmases,
When shepherds who were watching
Heard music in the fields.
And they sat there, and they marveled;
For they knew they could not tell
Whether it were angels
Or the bright stars a singing."

Laura Murphy beat me to my latest point. Whatever you believe in, you can't deny the beauty of the Christmas story. My favorite holiday songs are the more religious songs, like "Silent Night," because they're much more meaningful than the superficial "Silver Bells" or "The Christmas Song." The ideas expressed in them are universal, too, and not just Christian. I'd like to take this time to plug my favorite Christmas album, "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together." The result of mingling Jim Henson's compassion with John Denver's new-age optimism is a beautiful collection of songs about how, essentially, you don't need to be a Christian or go to a church to understand or enjoy Christmas:

"I don't know if you believe in Christmas,
Or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree.
But if you believe in love,
That will be more than enough
For you to come and celebrate, with me."

Isn't that nice? If you want to download one song this christmas, download "The Christmas Wish." It's sung by Kermit the Frog, and it's my favorite holiday song ever.



"It's in every one of us to be wise.
Find your heart, open up both your eyes.
We can all know everything
without ever knowing why.
It's in every one of us,
by and by."


Merry Christmas, everyone.