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That's my friend, John, jugglin' and relaxin' in the Hawaii Chair.

For a big luau o' laughs, visit (and enjoy!) HULA CHAIR NATION.

For some good music, visit my singer-songwriter friend, John Clinebell on his YouTube Channel, and enjoy what he does with his time (and mind!) when he's not jugglin' in the Hawaii Chair.

This is a beautiful Christmas Day as also Eve just past. Holy Christmas Eve Mass from Saint Peter's Basilica as celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI has been broadcast and now rebroadcasted today on EWTN, and, the meaningfulness and profound love of Christ with us are magnified to our senses, glorified in our souls among all who believe.

This Christmas morning arrived with utter peace and unusual quiet after one of the first clear, starry nights I can ever remember experiencing in Southern California, as also the overall peace from the surrounding environment, quiet enough last late afternoon, Chirtmas Eve, to hear the chiming of distant church bells and throughout today, Christmas Day, to hear nothing more than doves and crows and their wings outside. A strong and scrubbing wind overcame the area in the early dawn light but departed as soon as the air was even more clear, an emphasis from Heaven that the Day is without blemish.

Exceptionally beautiful to hear was the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception presentation of the 19th annual Christmas Concert for Charity, rebroadcast today (and Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 10 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 29, at 3 a.m.) on EWTN:

Program of the Christmas Concert for Charity

Advent Responsory – Johann Sebastian Bach/Richard Marlow

In dulci jubilo – Robert Lucas Pearsall
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child – Kenneth Leighton
Nova, Nova: Ave fit ex Eva – Richard DeLong
Behold a Mystical Rose – Peter Latona
The Lamb – John Tavener
I Wonder as I Wander – Andrew Carter
The White Dove – Johannes Brahms
Make We Joy – David Morgan
Hodie Christus natus est – Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

Siegfried Idyll – Richard Wagner
Adagio for Strings – Samuel Barber

Fanfare for Christmas Day – Martin Shaw
O beatum et sacrosanctum diem – Peter Philips
Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben – Johann Sebastian Bach
Quelle est cette odeur agréable? – Leo Nestor (Première)
Wassail Song – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Three Carols – Peter Warlock

Blessed Christmas good wishes to all who hear the Good News and believe, and, for those who do not, I pray with good wishes that you do.

Reference/Reading:

Pope Benedict XVI's Homily from Saint Peter's Basilica (Christmas Eve Mass Homily); and,

Here is the text of the Holy Father's Urbi et Orbi message (Christmas Day message):

"But first, what is the Urbi et Orbi thing all about?

"Urbi et Orbi means literally 'to the City [In Latin Urbs is by default Rome] and to the world.' Originally this was how papal proclamations began. It now denotes a blessing with a message delivered on certain occasions, such as Christmas, New Year and Easter, for papal elections, etc. It is delivered from the center balcony of the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The heart of the Urbi et Orbi blessing is the concession of a plenary indulgence for the remission of all temporal punishment due to sin."

Urbi et Orbi text is here.

THE FUNNY THINGS CHILDREN SAY AT CHRISTMAS:

'There were sheep, horses and a CROCODILE outside the stable'

Following are a few of the funniest and most endearing quotes from this article, but read it all for the full effects.

A recent survey revealed that one in three young adults had no idea that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (...) So what do Britain's youngsters really know about Christmas? (...) Four to nine-year-olds (were quizzed) at four primary schools in Britain to find out:

What gifts did the three wise men bring?

Jay, five, from Broomhill Infant School, Bristol: "The three wise men brought Jesus presents of gold, frankincense, smurr [sic] and silver. But I think he would have preferred wrestling toys."

Dominic, six, Merchant Taylors: "I don't know what the three wise men brought Jesus but I would have given him a tin of biscuits. I think Mary, Joseph and Jesus would have all liked a biscuit."

What animals were there when baby Jesus was born?

Matthew, six, Merchant Taylors: "There were sheep, horses and a crocodile outside the stable."

Who was the Angel Gabriel?

Erin, six, Broomhill Infants: "The Angel Gabriel is a big white fairy. He helped Mary and Joseph look after the baby - kind of like a doctor."

Jay, five, Broomhill Infants: "There was also an angel called Gabriel, whose favourite thing was to fly around all day."

Millie, seven, Merchant Taylors: "I don't know who the angel is but I like Jesus."

Who is Jesus?

Jay, five, Broomhill Infants: "Jesus was a king and he wore a crown even though he was a baby. It was a really small crown."

Antonia, seven, Merchant Taylors: "Jesus is Mary and God's little boy."

Sara, seven, St James' Primary: "Jesus is a mystery man."

Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Ellyshia, nine, St James' Primary: "I am not really a Christian. I believe in unicorns and pixies."

Where was Jesus born?

Charlotte, six, Merchant Taylors: "A long way away from Liverpool."

Charlie, four, Broomhill Infants: "He was born in a stable a long way away from here in another country. Bethlehem -- it's in England."

Erin, six, Broomhill Infants: "Jesus was born in the stable - it had lots of hairs."

What did the wise men follow to find the stable where Jesus was born?

Hannah, seven, Merchant Taylors: "They followed a special Christmas star, which is only out around Christmas."

Who are his parents?

Charlie, four, Broomhill Infants: "Jesus's mummy and daddy are called Jovis and Mary."

Ansel, six, Broad Oak: 'Jesus's parents were Gods.'

Archie, seven, St James' Primary: "His parents were Mary and Joseph. That's easy because I was Joseph in the play."

Antonia, seven, Merchant Taylors: "Jesus's mum and dad are Mary and Joseph and they were very happy with the king's gifts."

As to the title of this column -- "OH, JINGLE BELLS, SHOTGUN SHELLS..." -- I thought the lyrics to the song, "Jingle Bells" during several years of my earlier childhood went like this:

"Ohh, jin-gle bells, shot-gun shells, running all awaaaay..."

Though I can't be sure, I think this lyric mishap had to do with the fact that one of my best playmates' father was a Sheriff. When I eventually, later learned the actual lyrics to the song, my whole appreciation for Christmas caroling changed.

Have a very, Merry Christmas.

Adio, Luciano Pavarotti.

From a May 26, 1972 interview with the robust, remarkable man:

NOT RIGHT AND ALL RIGHT

The situation in Italian theaters, once the breeding ground for a race of fine singers, gives Mr. Pavarotti some concern. "For the most part, they are not in good hands," he mourns. "What can one think when many of the leading Italian singers are no longer interested to sing at La Scala, with one of the best choruses and orchestras for opera in the world? It is political trouble - musical politics - changes that neglect the past. I am an Italian, and I a proud of La Scala, like my colleagues, but La Scala looks now in a different way than it did at its country's leading singers. Now, one wins a singing contest on television and becomes famous overnight - without experience or solid training, despite fine gifts. Is this right? Have we all wasted our time? I think not, I think not..."

On a more cheerful note, Mr. Pavarotti spoke of the possibility of Donizetti's "La Favorita" (with its luscious tenor role) in San Francisco in 1973, and "the dream of every tenor - Manrico in 'Il Trovatore' - as long as 10 years away for me. It is a full lyric role, loudness has nothing to do with it, but it must carry and be strong."

Concerts? "Oh yes, I will do some. One with orchestra, only arias, and later in Carnegie Hall, New York, with arias and some antique songs. I hope they will go well, but for me, it is better, the right lights and the smell of the stage - I must enjoy myself when I sing, and concentrate on what is happening. In concert, I don't know. But I tell - if everything is lovingly done - everything will be all right - [crescendo toward high C] all-l-l RIGHT!"

From, PAVAROTTI'S COMPLEXITY, article written today after news of Pavarotti's death:

The news was followed by tributes from all over the world. "I always remember the God-given glory of his voice," said Placido Domingo who, with Pavarotti and Jose Carreras created the Three Tenors concerts that propelled the trio to superstardom. Bono described Pavarotti as "a great volcano of a man who sang fire, but spilled over with a love of life in all its complexity".

The pinnacle of his celebrity occured in 1990 when his rendition of Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot was used as the BBCs theme song for the FIFA World Cup. This quickly became his trademark song after achieving popular success. -- Photograph, Telegraph.co.uk

Listen to this live performance by Pavarotti of that marvelous song from Giacomo Puccini's opera, Turandot, NESSUN DORMA -- a very fine studio recording by Pavarotti of that same work can be found on this CD; however, one of Pavarotti's earlier CD's (and my favorite by him) has that same studio performance and a whole lot more.

Adio, Luciano Pavarotti.

A feature film is in the works (currently in production) about the life and music of Marvin Gaye entitled "Sexual Healing" after one of Gaye's most memorable songs. A far better title would be "Trouble Man" from another of his songs -- the current title encourages confusion on a first impression level and clouds the film's content unnecessarily for the primary reason that familiarity with Gaye's music is less pronounced today than among generations past and few will immediately associate that title with Gaye's work.

Executive produced by James Gandolfini and his ATTABOY FILMS, very well cast with lead role of Marvin Gaye by actor James L. Martin, most noteworthy for his ongoing work in LAW & ORDER.

The development of titles at ATTABOY FILMS is intriguing, including ALIVE DAY MEMORIES, HOME FROM IRAQ, coming September 9, 2007 on HBO, to be narrated by James Gandolfini (who also appears), featuring interviews with wounded U.S. military returning from Iraq.

An interesting array of videos available online with the music and images of Marvin Gaye can be found at YouTube.

But, best to listen to "Trouble Man" by Marvin Gaye: