The Christmas Stocking

Some things you probably didn’t know about a holiday favorite. Thank you for the gifts to the Christmas Stocking at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. I feel a little like Sally Brown in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but it really does help. Stop by the Christmas Stocking Facebook page (and Like and Follow us, too!), and Follow on Twitter (@XmasStocking), and on Pinterest (where I realize I’m not active enough). The phone’s always open, any time, (323) 487-12-25. Don’t wait if you want to share on the show. What is Christmas to you? Or email [email protected].

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/136_homeAlone_.mp3

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Featured music:

“Away in a Manger” by Matt diVenti from the EP “Christmas Songs Vol. 1” (from Noisetrade)

Background music:

“Jingle Bells” by the California Guitar Trio

“The Wassail Song” by Chris Friesen from “I Heard the Bells” (from Noisetrade)

“Christmas Medley by Gina and Kev” by Gina Kellenberger and by Kevin Zerbe

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”by the California Guitar Trio from the album “A Christmas Album”

More information:

Learn all about “Home Alone” from Wikipedia.

IMDb has a lot of info, including trivia.

Learn about the making of the gangster movie in “Home Alone” (it’s totally part of the movie) from Vanity Fair, of all places.

See the connection between Kevin McCallister and Monica and Chandler.

An analysis of Marv and Harry’s injuries suffered at the hands of Kevin.

Hear about more Christmas movies in the Christmas Stocking at Movies.MyChristmasStocking.net

It’s not about Advent, really, but it’s kind of about Advent. If you want to be on the show, call (323) 487-12-25 now. We’re getting kind of close to the day. What is Christmas to you? You can also email [email protected]. Thank you for giving to the Christmas Stocking at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. It’s huge to me. Keep in touch on Twitter (@XmasStocking), or Facebook, or Pinterest.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/135TheJesseTree.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“Star of Hope” by Katey Laurel from the double album “This is Christmas”

Background music:

“Joy to the World” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”

“Star of Hope Instrumental” by Katey Laurel

More information:

Wikipedia has a lot about the history of the Tree of Jesse.

Why Christmas has a bit about how you can incorporate a Jesse Tree into your holiday.

Jesuit ministry the Loyola Press has more ideas about working the Jesse Tree into your Advent.

While we’re at it, I talked about Advent in 2009, and played a great rendition of “People Look East.” It’s at Advent.MyChristmasStocking.net

If you grew up in the ’90s, or had kids who grew up in the ’90s, you will remember these classics. Let me know if you loved any of these on Facebook, or on Twitter (@XmasStocking), or Pinterest. Make a phone call to the Christmas Stocking! (323) 487-12-25. Tell me what Christmas is to you. Or write (or send an audio file) to [email protected]. Thanks for the gifts to the Christmas Stocking at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute!

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/134ChristmasToys1990-1999.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“An Elf Named Moe” by Carl Stuck

Find out more about the art contest at AnElfNamedMoe.com

Background music:

“Decking the Halls in 1966” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (I found it on Mevio.com)

“El Noche De Silencio” byBrian Bunker Christmas

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”

“Deck the Halls” by Frank Carter from the album “Deck the Halls”

More information:

Learn more about the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from GrnRngr.com.

Wikipedia will tell you about Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo, Tamagotchi, Furby, and Yu-Gi-Oh!

Learn more about Pokémon from Bulbapedia on Bulbagarden.

Hear episodes about toys from all of the other decades of the 20th century, and find other episodes where I talk about toys, at Toys.MyChristmasStocking.net.

It’s a great story, beautifully told in this old, old carol. How old? Not sure. Thank you for giving to the Christmas Stocking at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute! Call me at (323) 487-12-25 and tell me what_is_ Christmas to you. Or write (or send an audio file) to [email protected]. Join the Christmas Stocking on Twitter (@XmasStocking), Facebook and Pinterest.

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/133TheFirstNoel.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“The First Noel” by Sleeping at Last from the album “Christmas Collection, Volume One”

Background music:

“The First Noel”  by Mark Bodino from “My Favorite Christmas Guitar Songs All Year Round”

“Peace Christmas” by Lobo Loco from the album “Memories” (from the Free Music Archive)

More information:

Learn more about “The First Noel” from CBN and Wikipedia.

Learn about the origins of many other carols, caroling and more from The Christmas Stocking at Carols.MyChristmasStocking.net

On our Facebook page, Richie suggested I talk about this. Good suggestion! The Christmas Stocking is also on Twitter (@XmasStocking) and Pinterest. Thank you for the gifts sent through MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. They are a big help and make me feel good! Be on the show! Call (323) 487-12-25. What_is_ Christmas to you? You can also send your response to [email protected].

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/132ChristmasInTheCaribbean.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“The Virgin Mary” by Lara Landon from the EP “Christmas“(from Noisetrade)

Background music:

“Ipanema Holiday” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” 

“Little Peace at Christmas” by Philip (Squire Tuck) Rougier  (from the Free Music Archive)

“A Ukulele for Christmas (instrumental)” by Lee Rosevere (from the Free Music Archive)

More information:

Believe it or not, CheapCaribbean.com has a lot of information.

You’ll find more traditions at News Americas.

Sounds cuddly, right? He’s not. He’s from Iceland. Some of their Christmas legends are stone cold scary. Call (323) 487-12-25, and be on the show! Tell us what Christmas is to you, say Merry Christmas, or do your own thing! Follow the Christmas Stocking on Twitter (@XmasStocking), on Facebook, and Pinterest. Give to the show at MyChristmasStocking.net/contribute. Thank you if you have!

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.archive.org/download/ChristmasStockingPodcast/131TheYuleCat.mp3

Click here to download the show to your device.

Featured music:

“This Great Old Christmas Night” by Sofia Talvik from the album “When Winter Comes, A Christmas Album”

“Still, Still, Still” by the Gothard Sisters from the album “Falling Snow”

Background music:

“The Happy Elf” by the Gothard Sisters from the album “Falling Snow”

“Sussex Carol” by The Manor House String Quartet from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and Other Carols”

More information:

Learn more about the Yule Cat from Wikipedia, I iz Cat, Nerdist, and I Reykjavik.

Hear Björk perform “Jólakötturinn – Hvít Er Borg Og Bær (Icelandic Christmas Cat).”