As I write this blog, I'm about to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol for the second time this holiday season...yes it's that good! The film begins with an upbeat and festive soundtrack that carries you right into this classic story, filled with lots of Muppets and...Michael Caine! What you may not know is this film is considered to be one of the most definitive versions of Charles Dickens' book, as it captures the story accurately and meaningfully. The detailed narration and the way the characters are portrayed, yes even those played by the Muppets, is memorable and heartfelt. Michael Caine insisted that he portray Scrooge true to character, despite it being the Muppets' version, and he did! I think he still deserves an Oscar for his performance! The music is absolutely wonderful and joyous, and we owe it all to Paul Williams, yes, the same songwriter known for,"Rainbow Connection," from The Muppet Movie. In a way, the music becomes its own character, ushering the film from scene to scene and enhancing the various emotional elements of the story.
The Muppet Christmas Carol manages to capture the true heart of Christmas, which is love. More than ever, we need this message of love during the holiday season, a time where it's so easy to get "wrapped up" in the commercialization of gifts and gift-giving. We forget about the simple joys of the holiday season, such as baking, listening to and singing Christmas songs, gathering with family and friends, and giving back to the community. The holidays are also a time to rest, reflect, and be grateful.
This year, I'm longing to get back to those simple joys, and to better connect to love. I recognize that life is just too short to not embrace love, for ourselves and for others! Scrooge had to discover that truth through visits from the three Ghosts of Christmas. He experiences a heartbreaking moment from his past, when his one love, Belle, sings "When Love is Gone," and then leaves him, as she realizes he has chosen money over their relationship. However, it's when Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present that he truly experiences a personal breakthrough about love.
"It Feels Like Christmas," sung by the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present, and also covered by me in the music video I'm sharing, captures the simple joys of the season that all lead back to love: “where ever you find love it feels like Christmas.” This Ghost's focus is of course, on the present moment, the here and now, without the worries of the past or the future. He shows us that when we settle into the present moment, we recognize what we are grateful for, and we find love...in everything. We are also able to better embrace what we love, like singing, getting cozy by the fire, showing kindness to others, and spending time with our loved ones:
It's in the singing of the street corner choir It's going home and getting warm by the fire It's true where ever you find love it feels like Christmas A cup of kindness that we share with another A sweet reunion with a friend or a brother In all the places you find love, it feels like Christmas It is the season of the heart A special time of caring The ways of love made clear And it is the season of the spirit The message if we hear it Is make it last all year
Lyrics from, "It Feels Like Christmas," written by Paul Williams, 1992
During the song, we see Scrooge's heart warm up a bit, and he even starts to dance along with this Ghost! He seems to be absorbing all the good vibes of love and joy. It's the first time he's opening up to love and noticing the world around him. As soon as the song ends, Scrooge says, "Spirit I had no idea. I wish to see friends, kin. Show me family." He's able to make that connection with love and family!
The song also presents the truth that this feeling of love can be experienced and celebrated beyond Christmastime, as we can, "make it last all year." This theme comes up several times throughout the film and in other songs as well. Towards the beginning of the film, Kermit, who plays Bob Cratchit, sings, "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas."There's mention to, "keep love alive."
Tis the season to be jolly and joyous With a burst of pleasure, we feel it all right It's the season when the saints can employ us To spread the news about peace and to keep love alive
-Lyrics written by Paul Williams, 1992
This seems to suggest that keeping love alive means beyond the season of Christmas. It's a time to remind ourselves to keep on spreading the love!
In one of the last scenes of the film, Scrooge performs the song, "Thankful Heart," which emphasizes gratefulness for life and holding those dear close to us. He urges us, "Don't let it slip away, how precious life can be." I believe he's referring to not just life itself, but to the love we share with each other. He's realized that life is incomplete without love.
And to close the film, at Bob Cratchit's home, after delivering them a special Christmas meal, he sings a reprise to "When Love is Gone," called "The Love We Found":
The love we found The love we found The sweetest dream that we have ever known The love we found The love we found We carry with us So we're never quite alone
-Lyrics written by Paul Williams, 1992
The film began with Scrooge being alone and without love and ended with him embracing love and sharing it with family and friends. Love is "the sweetest dream that we have ever known," because it is the spark of life itself. We come from love, we are love, and we can live joyfully because of that truth! And although self-love is so important, we are also meant to experience love and togetherness with others.
I think I outdid myself this time and not only covered, "It Feels Like Christmas," but in honor of, "When Love is Gone," finally getting added back into the film for its 30th anniversary (it was removed from the original theatrical release), you can also find my cover of that song here! Friends, I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and feeling all the love!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!