SPOTLIGHT
A CHRISTMAS ISSUE
By Douglas Schwartz
All content in this SPOTLIGHT © copyright the respective artists. All rights reserved.
For me, like for countless others, Christmas will always be a very magical time of year. I fondly look back to the carefree days of my
youth...and to the colorful lights, tinsel, and many toys I discovered under the Christmas tree. Sorry, Mom and Dad...but kids tend to
soon forget the socks and gloves they also received, even though my feet and hands were always nice and warm.
While the toys were, without a doubt, a big part of what made Christmas so much fun and magical for me, there were other aspects
of the holiday that I enjoyed as well, and still do today. I am referring to the many creative works of art that celebrate Christmas in their
own, unique way. Perhaps the most memorable of these, due to their appealing melodies and lyrics, are the songs of the season.
The following short list of Christmas music, presented in no particular order, are favorites of mine and many others: Jingle Bells,
Silent Night, White Christmas, Deck The Halls, Joy To The World, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's The Most Wonderful
Time of the Year, O Holy Night, The Twelve Days of Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,
The Christmas Song, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Winter Wonderland, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Frosty The
Snowman...and for the anxious child in everyone...Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. There are, of course, many other popular songs
that I did not include. More than enough, or so it seems, to fill the musical airwaves of a dozen Christmases!
youth...and to the colorful lights, tinsel, and many toys I discovered under the Christmas tree. Sorry, Mom and Dad...but kids tend to
soon forget the socks and gloves they also received, even though my feet and hands were always nice and warm.
While the toys were, without a doubt, a big part of what made Christmas so much fun and magical for me, there were other aspects
of the holiday that I enjoyed as well, and still do today. I am referring to the many creative works of art that celebrate Christmas in their
own, unique way. Perhaps the most memorable of these, due to their appealing melodies and lyrics, are the songs of the season.
The following short list of Christmas music, presented in no particular order, are favorites of mine and many others: Jingle Bells,
Silent Night, White Christmas, Deck The Halls, Joy To The World, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's The Most Wonderful
Time of the Year, O Holy Night, The Twelve Days of Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,
The Christmas Song, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Winter Wonderland, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Frosty The
Snowman...and for the anxious child in everyone...Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. There are, of course, many other popular songs
that I did not include. More than enough, or so it seems, to fill the musical airwaves of a dozen Christmases!
The song, White Christmas, is also the title of one of the most beloved
holiday films to ever illuminate the screen. Released in 1954, the movie
stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and
Dean Jagger. For me, White Christmas remains a must-see film to
this day!
So too are It's a Wonderful Life (1946) with James Stewart and Donna
Reed, A Christmas Carol (1951) with Alistair Sim (my favorite version),
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) with Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn
and a young Natalie Wood, Holiday Affair (1949) with Janet Leigh and
Robert Mitchum, and The Bishop's Wife (1947) with Cary Grant, Loretta
Young and David Niven.
Another must-see movie for me...and a nearly impossible one to miss
considering how often it is shown on television...is a film produced
many years later than those I already mentioned. I am referring to A
Christmas Story (1983) starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and
Peter Billingsley. Even though I was no longer a child when this film
was released, it makes me feel young because of its innocent charm.
There are unforgettable animated classics that also spark the magic of
Christmas for me. Two that are on the top my list are A Charlie Brown
Christmas (1965) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). While
both Charlie Brown and Rudolph thought of themselves as misfits, they
eventually learned that they were much better than that. A good lesson
for us all!
Other popular animated classics include How The Grinch Stole
Christmas! (1966), Frosty The Snowman (1969), and Santa Claus Is
Comin' to Town (1970). When any of these holiday specials are
shown on television today, I feel like putting on my pajamas, lying on
the couch, and covering myself up with an afghan that my mom knitted...
like I did when I was a kid. Now that's magic!
I would be very remiss in this SPOTLIGHT if I did not mention the
classic short story written by Clemont Clark Moore in 1823 entitled,
A Visit From St. Nicholas...better known today as (Twas)The Night
Before Christmas. Read by adults to children on perhaps the most
exciting night of the year, this visually inspiring tale has the ability to
bring forth more than just sugarplums to their minds. I am speaking,
of course, of the impending (at long last!) visit from the man in the
red suit carrying his magical, seemingly bottomless bag of toys!
Besides the aforementioned songs, movies and animated television
specials, there are many fine art paintings and illustrations that also
portray the season. While these visual works of art are perhaps more
suited to the mature minds of adults, they too have contributed to the
legacy of visual artists wanting to celebrate Christmas with their
creativity.
For that child who still resides deep within me, however...recalling
the sight of Santa in a 1960s era department store (they were so
much nicer than the big box stores of today!), the unmistakable taste
of a candy cane, colorful decorations on display just about everywhere,
hanging my stocking on our homemade, make-believe fireplace which
we covered with paper bricks, and the lighted plastic Santa figurine
that bathed my bedroom with a magical, comforting, red glow...all
combine to form happy memories of a time that is long gone and
I will always cherish.
With that said...the child within me also recalls the lyrics in the song,
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, that warned kids...He sees you when
you're sleeping...He knows when you're awake...He knows when
you've been bad or good...So be good for goodness sake! Makes
you wonder if Kris Kringle (his undercover pseudonym?) works for
the NSA (National Security Agency)!
In spite of that unrealistic possibility (Santa is too good for that!)...and
the fact that I am now in my senior years (God, how I hate that term!)...
I can still look back to a time that remains dear to my heart. Watching
Christmas movies and animated television specials, or listening to the
songs on the radio (or better yet, a scratchy record from the era) can
still bring forth that magic. I honestly believe that will never change,
even if I live to be a hundred!
If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed that I used the
words "magic" or "magical" many times in this SPOTLIGHT. As a
writer, I am fully aware of the unwritten rule not to overuse a word.
In this case, however, I feel that those words...when referring to the
Christmas season...are so appropriate that English teachers or the
word police will forgive me!
If the true test of art is that it leaves a lasting, and hopefully positive
impression on those who experience it, then everything featured in this
SPOTLIGHT qualifies. Each and every artist associated with these
works of art...be they writers, performers, animators, composers,
musicians, cinematographers, painters, et al...can be proud of what
they achieved. Their creative accomplishments add to the joy and
lasting memories of the season!
With that, I will close this SPOTLIGHT with Santa's unforgettable
words at the end of (Twas) The Night Before Christmas.
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
holiday films to ever illuminate the screen. Released in 1954, the movie
stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and
Dean Jagger. For me, White Christmas remains a must-see film to
this day!
So too are It's a Wonderful Life (1946) with James Stewart and Donna
Reed, A Christmas Carol (1951) with Alistair Sim (my favorite version),
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) with Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn
and a young Natalie Wood, Holiday Affair (1949) with Janet Leigh and
Robert Mitchum, and The Bishop's Wife (1947) with Cary Grant, Loretta
Young and David Niven.
Another must-see movie for me...and a nearly impossible one to miss
considering how often it is shown on television...is a film produced
many years later than those I already mentioned. I am referring to A
Christmas Story (1983) starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and
Peter Billingsley. Even though I was no longer a child when this film
was released, it makes me feel young because of its innocent charm.
There are unforgettable animated classics that also spark the magic of
Christmas for me. Two that are on the top my list are A Charlie Brown
Christmas (1965) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). While
both Charlie Brown and Rudolph thought of themselves as misfits, they
eventually learned that they were much better than that. A good lesson
for us all!
Other popular animated classics include How The Grinch Stole
Christmas! (1966), Frosty The Snowman (1969), and Santa Claus Is
Comin' to Town (1970). When any of these holiday specials are
shown on television today, I feel like putting on my pajamas, lying on
the couch, and covering myself up with an afghan that my mom knitted...
like I did when I was a kid. Now that's magic!
I would be very remiss in this SPOTLIGHT if I did not mention the
classic short story written by Clemont Clark Moore in 1823 entitled,
A Visit From St. Nicholas...better known today as (Twas)The Night
Before Christmas. Read by adults to children on perhaps the most
exciting night of the year, this visually inspiring tale has the ability to
bring forth more than just sugarplums to their minds. I am speaking,
of course, of the impending (at long last!) visit from the man in the
red suit carrying his magical, seemingly bottomless bag of toys!
Besides the aforementioned songs, movies and animated television
specials, there are many fine art paintings and illustrations that also
portray the season. While these visual works of art are perhaps more
suited to the mature minds of adults, they too have contributed to the
legacy of visual artists wanting to celebrate Christmas with their
creativity.
For that child who still resides deep within me, however...recalling
the sight of Santa in a 1960s era department store (they were so
much nicer than the big box stores of today!), the unmistakable taste
of a candy cane, colorful decorations on display just about everywhere,
hanging my stocking on our homemade, make-believe fireplace which
we covered with paper bricks, and the lighted plastic Santa figurine
that bathed my bedroom with a magical, comforting, red glow...all
combine to form happy memories of a time that is long gone and
I will always cherish.
With that said...the child within me also recalls the lyrics in the song,
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, that warned kids...He sees you when
you're sleeping...He knows when you're awake...He knows when
you've been bad or good...So be good for goodness sake! Makes
you wonder if Kris Kringle (his undercover pseudonym?) works for
the NSA (National Security Agency)!
In spite of that unrealistic possibility (Santa is too good for that!)...and
the fact that I am now in my senior years (God, how I hate that term!)...
I can still look back to a time that remains dear to my heart. Watching
Christmas movies and animated television specials, or listening to the
songs on the radio (or better yet, a scratchy record from the era) can
still bring forth that magic. I honestly believe that will never change,
even if I live to be a hundred!
If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed that I used the
words "magic" or "magical" many times in this SPOTLIGHT. As a
writer, I am fully aware of the unwritten rule not to overuse a word.
In this case, however, I feel that those words...when referring to the
Christmas season...are so appropriate that English teachers or the
word police will forgive me!
If the true test of art is that it leaves a lasting, and hopefully positive
impression on those who experience it, then everything featured in this
SPOTLIGHT qualifies. Each and every artist associated with these
works of art...be they writers, performers, animators, composers,
musicians, cinematographers, painters, et al...can be proud of what
they achieved. Their creative accomplishments add to the joy and
lasting memories of the season!
With that, I will close this SPOTLIGHT with Santa's unforgettable
words at the end of (Twas) The Night Before Christmas.
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
