I thought I might share with you some of my favourite books and music of the Christmas season. Although I do read some new-to-me books each December, there are a few stories I enjoy re-reading or listening to each year. The same goes for Christmas music.
Stories
Dave Cooks the Turkey by Stuart McLean
Stuart wrote a number of Christmas stories, some are nostalgic, some humourous, all worth reading. My absolute favourite for a laugh is “Dave Cooks the Turkey” where Dave, who had not cooked a turkey before, is faced with a frozen bird among other challenges. I alternate reading it from the book, and listening to his oral rendition as it is now available on YouTube. Stuart was an entertaining author, but even more so a masterful storyteller, with great comic timing, and as I read from his books, I hear his voice in my head. I started listening to his stories about Canada and Canadians when he was a contributor on “Morningside” on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio in the 1980’s and enjoyed his understanding of human nature and the humour in simple lives, especially when he started to write about Dave and Morley in The Vinyl Cafe series of books. I had the opportunity to hear him read live once, and used to look forward to the radio recordings of his live shows on this Christmas tour.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas
A Child’s Christmas in Wales is the author’s recollections of a particular, and yet typical, Christmas in his family with his extended family. I first heard the story read by Dylan Thomas on my mother’s LP record of Christmas stories. I was entranced by both his sonorous voice and the story itself which is both relatable and fantastical. YouTube also has a copy of this recording, as well as a movie based on the tale.
Several years ago I treated myself to a thin volume of the story including illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman which I think add to the text delightfully.
“And we ran down the garden, with the snowballs (for aiming at cats) in our arms, toward the house; and smoke, indeed, was pouring out of the dining-room, and the gong was bombilating, and Mrs. Prothero was announcing ruin like a town crier in Pompeii. This was better than all the cats in Wales standing on the wall in a row.”
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas
Christmas Joy by Susan Branch
This is a book to dip into when I have a few moments here or there to look at something cozy. All Susan’s books are decorated with her whimsical watercolour illustrations. Some of her other books are a diary form, but this one has little thoughts, recipes and quotes about Christmas. It is a small volume full of homey ideas.
Songs
Album – To Drive the Cold Winter Away by Loreena McKennitt
The album includes Loreena singing and playing old carols (1600’s) and even older winter solstice songs on her harp.
It is difficult to explain the sounds contained in a collection of music, so I will tell you what this one makes me imagine: Christmas a few hundred years ago, Great halls, long gowns of heavy green velvet, mulled wine in silver goblets, sugar coated fruits, steaming gamebird pies, soft candlelight, rich tapestries of plum, burgundy and ocher, swags of greenery, warm sounds of strings and voices and the warmth of a welcoming space when you come in from the cold. I feel her music in every nostalgic bone in my body. It was recorded in churches and monasteries to give it the sound of air lifted a great height.
Here is the first verse of the title track…
All hail to the days that merit more praise
Than all of the rest of the year,
And welcome the nights that double delights, As well for the poor as the peer.
Good fortune attend each merry man’s friend
That doth but the best that he may, Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs,
To drive the cold winter away.
“To Drive the Cold Winter Away” (English Carol circa 1625)
Do You Hear by the Rankins
This Christmas album from the Rankin family has a mix of Celtic, traditional hymns and popular Christmas songs done with their beautiful family harmonies, especially featuring Heather, Cookie and Raylene. They are great performers live, and we were lucky enough to attend their concert when this CD was released, got to meet them and have them sign the CD cover.
Christmas Oratorio– J.S. Bach
The Christmas Oratorio is a beautiful telling of the Christmas story set to soaring scores and magnificent harmonies. I learned the score in English as part of the university choir performance and listen to the German CD of it every year, singing along in English. I live in hope that I will find an English language CD! King’s College has done some parts of it in English, which is something.
Christmas – Michael Bublé
Traditional popular Christmas songs from Bing Crosby’s era sung by the soothing voice of Michael Bublé. I enjoy it while wrapping presents, baking or other Christmas pottering.
That’s Christmas to Me – Pentatonix
Acapella harmony heaven with Christmas music 🙂
Christmas at King’s College Cambridge
The full on choir and organ sending carols to the rafters!
AND…..
Add to these some new music, books and movies (I’ll admit to a few Hallmark ones) and I am set for the season! What are some of your favourites?
Everyday Cheer 
To summarize the whole season you just can’t beat Handel’s “Messiah.” I also like the old (religious) carols and ones that tell a story – like :”The Cherry Tree Carol” (especially Judy Collins’ version) , “Good King Wenceslas”, and even “We Three Kings”
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Those all all great additions to the list!
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