I don't know if there'll be snow...

but have a cup of cheer! I think that's one of my favorite lyrical lines this Christmas: "I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer."

It's a reminder that things don't have to be perfect and match some Norman-Rockwellian idea of the perfect Dec. 25 with glittering snow and heaps of presents to be a pretty special day anyway. Usually this is not my favorite song b/c there's pretty much just one main version of it--the original by Burl Ives--and I think it sounds kinda hokey. But I heard a new version this year (coming to an Inbox near you ... soon, as I'm stuck in the land of limited computer capabilities) and it got me liking the song again. That, and it seems like *everyone* I know this Christmas is feeling a little short on holiday cheer and long on bah-humbug.

Here are the lyrics for your own singing pleasure:

Have a holly, jolly Christmas,
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow,
but have a cup of cheer.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street,
Say Hello to friends you know
and ev'ryone you meet.

Oh, ho, the mistletoe
hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you,
Kiss her once for me.

Have a holly jolly Christmas,
and in case you didn't hear,
Oh by golly, have a holly, jolly Christmas this year.