SurLaLune Storytime: Most Wonderful Time of the Year

You better watch out, you better not cry,
You better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list, and checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry,
You better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down thru the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Upon on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick

Look in the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill!
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistle and ball and a whip that cracks

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick

You know Dasher and Dancer
and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donner
and Blitzen;
But do you recall
the most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
you would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names;
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say,
"Rudolph, with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him,
as they shouted out with glee,
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!"

The Night Before Christmas and More Christmas Stories!

Max's Christmas
by Rosemary Wells
Age Level: Pre-K-1
Running Time:
5 minutes

Synopsis: A charming tale about a little boy named Max and his older sister Ruby. It's Christmas Eve and Ruby gets Max ready for bed so that Santa can come down the chimney with his holiday gifts. As Ruby helps Ma x prepare for bed, the little boy is full of questions about Santa- Who is coming? Where is he coming? When is he coming? When Max asks why he can't see Santa, a frustrated Ruby answers, "Because!"

	*The Night Before Christmas* by Clement Clark Moore Age Level: Pre-K-2 Running Time: 7 Minutes
Synopsis: The story of Santa's magical visit on a snowy Christmas Eve. No detail is missing-not even the mouse.

More Books to Read On Your Own

The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
Age Level: Preschool and up
Synopsis: A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.

More Songs for at Home

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up
in my bedroom fast asleep.

Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

Deck the Halls
Traditional Welsh Carol

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our gay apparrel
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la

See the blazing yule before us
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Good master and good mistress,
As you sit beside the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a cheese,
And of your Christmas loaf.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight! Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride;
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank;
Misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot. Oh!

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh! Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young;
Take the girls tonight,
And sing this sleighing song.
Just get a bob-tailed bay,
Two-forty for his speed;
Then hitch him to an open sleigh,
And crack! You'll take the lead. Oh!

Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way,
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say.
Christmas Eve will soon be here,
Now you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me,
Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve,
When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney with your pack,
Softly you will creep.
All the stockings you will find,
Hanging in a row,
Mine will be the shortest one,
You'll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates,
Susie needs a sled,
Nelly wants a storybook --
One she hasn't read.
As for me, I hardly know,
So I'll go to rest;
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus,
What you think is best.

O Christmas Tree
(O Tannenbaum)
(Version 1)
Traditional German Carol

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
The sight of thee at Christmastide
Spreads hope and gladness far and wide
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
Thou dost proclaim the Saviour's birth
Good will to men and peace on earth
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
Your boughs are green in summer's glow
And do not fade in winter's snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your presence here enhances
Your silver star does glisten bright
Reflecting all the candlelight
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How laden are your branches

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
On Christmas Day you stand so tall
Affording joy to one and all
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety

German Lyrics:

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blätter
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blätter
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit
Nein auch im Winter wenn es schneit
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum
Wie treu sind deine Blätter

O Christmas Tree
(Version 2)
Traditional German Carol

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Written by: Ballard Macdonald
Music by: Leon Jessel

The toy shop door is locked up tight
And ev'rything is quiet for the night
When suddenly the clock strikes twelve
The fun's begun

The dolls are in their best arrayed
There's going to be a wonderful parade
Hark to the drum, oh, here they come
Cries ev'ryone

Hear them all cheering
Now they are nearing
There's the captain stiff as starch

Bayonets flashing
Music is crashing
As the wooden soldiers march

Sabers a-clinking
Soldiers a-winking
At each pretty little maid

Here they come
Here they come
Here they come
Here they come
Wooden soldiers on parade

Toyland
Written by: Glen MacDonough
Music by: Victor Herbert

Toyland, Toyland,
Little girl and boy land,
While you dwell within it,
You are ever happy then.

Childhood's joyland,
Mystic, merry Toyland!
Once you pass its borders,
You can ne'er return again.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer,
Pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing, children singing;
All is merry and bright.
Hang your stockings and say your prayers,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus!
Right down Santa Claus Lane!
He's got a bag that's filled with toys
For the boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,
What a beautiful sight.
Jump in bed, cover up your head,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Holly Jolly Christmas

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 everyone 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!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Traditional English Carol

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Now bring us some figgy pudding
Oh bring us some figgy pudding
Oh, bring us some figgy pudding
And a cup of good cheer
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year

We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So bring some out here
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Written by: Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now, dash away! Dash away! Dash away, all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples - how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero año y Felicidad

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in ev'ry store,
But the prettiest sight to see
Is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

A pair of hopalong boots
And a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait
For school to start again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel,
One in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas;
Let your heart be light.
From now on, your troubles will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas;
Make the Yule-tide gay.
From now on, your troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell rock.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Rocking around the Christmas Tree
at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Ev'ry couple tries to stop

You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear voices singing
"Let's be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In a new old fashioned way

Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Let the Christmas Spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
and we'll do some caroling

Silver Bells

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style;
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile,
And on every street corner you'll hear:

Silver bells, silver bells; It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring. Soon it will be Christmas day.

City street lights, even stop lights, blink a bright red and green,
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch; this is Santa's big scene,
And above all this bustle you'll hear:

Silver bells, silver bells; It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring. Soon it will be Christmas day.

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.

We Need A Little Christmas

Haul out the holly,
Put up the tree before
My spirit falls again,
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things,
But deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet,
Yes, we need a little Christmas,
Right this very minute,
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry.

So climb down the chimney,
Turn on the brightest string
Of lights I've ever seen,
Slice up the fruitcake,
It's time we hung some tinsel
On that evergreen bough.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing,
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
Happy ever after,
Need a little Christmas now.

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping on your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is going to spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

Carol of the Bells

Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away

Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold,

Oh how they pound,
raising the sound,
o'er hill and dale,
telling their tale,

Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here,

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
On on they send ,
on without end,
their joyful tone to every home
Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong

Available on Amazon.com

Available on
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