~ The Twelve Days of Christmas

Photo via deanperry.co.uk

On Christmas Eve, many years ago I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I’d never hear. The ringing bells of Santa’s sleigh.

~ The Polar Express (2004)

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, 
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We’re happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

~ Felix Bernard, Winter Wonderland

I suppose it all started with the snow. You see, it was a very special kind of snow. A snow that made the happy happier, and the giddy even giddier. A snow that’d make a homecoming homier, and natural enemies, friends, natural. For it was the first snow of the season. And as any child can tell you, there’s a certain magic that comes with the very first snow, especially when it falls on the day before Christmas.

~ Frosty the Snowman (1969)

I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.

~ It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.

~ A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Oh, hello. You’re, uh, you’re probably here about the story. Elves love to tell stories. I-I’ll bet you didn’t know that about elves. There’s, uh, probably a lot of things you didn’t know about elves. Another, another interesting, uh, elfism, uh, there are only three jobs available to an elf.

~ Elf (2003)

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don’t ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn’t screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

~ Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

If I live to be 100, I’ll never forget that big snow storm a couple of years ago. The weather closed in and, well you might not believe it, but the world almost missed Christmas. Oh, excuse me, call me Sam. What’s the matter? Haven’t you ever seen a talking snowman before?

~ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

‘Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems in a place perhaps you’ve seen in your dreams. For the story you’re about to be told began with the holiday worlds of auld. Now you’ve probably wondered where holidays come from. If you haven’t I’d say it’s time you begun.

~ The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)