Christmas Greetings

Now playing, here's Jessica Sanchez with her version of "The Christmas Song" Once again, Merry Christmas to all! Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays

This is a beautiful rendition of "The Christmas Song" by Shannon Magrane, American Idol season 11 finalist. Dedicated to the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley as well with the victims of Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR! Happy Holidays.

Christmas Greetings All Over The World

To all the Bloggers and all the Browsers and Readers of my Blog, first of all I would like to greet you a Happy Holidays. It's been a cool year to have you in my blog as my support. It was an overwhelming thing to know that there are some readers from different parts of the world. I would like to greet you in different ways:

• Filipino: Maligayang Pasko
• English: Merry Christmas
• Arabic: عيد ميلاد مجيد
• Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
• Spanish: Feliz Navidad
• Portuguese: Boas Festas
• Greek: Kala Christouyenna
• Norwegian and Swedish: God Jul
• German: Froehliche Weihnacten
• Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
• Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom
• Danish: Glædelig jul
• Dutch: Vroliijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
• Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
• French: Joyeux Noel
• Indonesian: Selamat Hari Netal
• Hindi: Shub Naya Baras
• Vietnamese: Vui Chơi Ch
• Thai: สุขสันต์วันคริสมาสต์
• Korean: 메리 크리스마스
• Japanese: メリークリスマス
• Chinese: 聖誕快樂

To all the readers of my blog from different parts of the world from my home country, Philippines to neighboring countries in Asia and Pacific, as well with the readers from Europe, North America, South America and Africa, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Timeless Christmas Songs: Christmas In Our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan

1. CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS (Jose Mari Chan)
The song reflects the ideal Christmas in the Philippines and in other countries as well because Christmas is for the people you loved and valued and most of all, it is the season to be happy and remembering the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Whenever I see girls and boys

Selling lanterns on the street

I remember the child in the manger as he sleeps

Wherever there are people

Giving gifts exchanging cards

I believe that Christmas is truly in our hearts

Let's light our Christmas trees for a bright tomorrow

Where nations are at peace,

And all are one in God

Let's sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday

This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus

Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts

And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts

In every prayer and every song

The community unite celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ

Let love like that starlight on that first Christmas morn

Lead us back to the manger where Christ the child was born

So come let us rejoice

Come and sing the Christmas carol with one big joyful voice

Proclaim the name of the Lord

Let's sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday

This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus

Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts

And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts

Let's sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday

The season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus

Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts

And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts

Timeless Christmas Songs: The Christmas Song by Celine Dion

2. THE CHRISTMAS SONG
The song was covered by many artists which reflects Christmas in Western countries (especially for those places who have winter season) and the most important message there is the last five lines of the song.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at 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 a-glow

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 gonna 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 it's been said

Many times many ways

Merry Christmas to you

Timeless Christmas Songs: A Perfect Christmas by Jose Mari Chan

3.  A PERFECT CHRISTMAS (Jose Mari Chan)
An OPM classic which describes the ideal Christmas. Very meaningful lyrics.

My idea of a perfect Christmas

Is to spend it with you

In a party or dinner for two

Anywhere would do

Celebrating the yuletide season

Always lights up our lives

Simple pleasures are made special too

When they're shared with you

Looking through some old photographs

Faces and friends we'll always remember

Watching busy shoppers rushing about

In the cool breeze of December

Sparkling lights all over town

Children's carols in the air

By the Christmas tree

A shower of stardust on your hair

I can't think of a better Christmas

Than my wish coming true

And my wish is that you'd let me spend

My whole life with you

Looking through some old photographs

Faces and friends we'll always remember

Watching busy shoppers rushing about

In the cool breeze of December

Sparkling lights all over town

Children's carols in the air

By the Christmas tree

A shower of stardust on your hair

I can't think of a better Christmas

Than my wish coming true

And my wish is that you'd let me spend

My whole life with you

My idea of a perfect Christmas

Is spending it with you

Timeless Christmas Songs: My Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant

4. MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST (Amy Grant)
The original version of the song where I appreciate the music video and the concept where she was in home and with the other kids.

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you

With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown-up now

And still need help somehow.(can you still help somehow)

I'm not a child

But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish

My grown-up christmas list

Not for myself

But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start,(and wars would never start)

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up christmas list

As children we believed

The grandest sight to see

Was something lovely

Wrapped beneath our tree.(wrapped beneath the tree)

Well heaven surely knows

That packages and bows

Can never heal

A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end

This is my grown-up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?

Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

(There'd be)

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end, oh

This is my grown-up christmas list

This is my grown-up christmas list

Timeless Christmas Songs: Sa Araw ng Pasko

5. SA ARAW NG PASKO (All Star Cast)


I really love the message of the song and the stars on the music video like Pops Fernandez, Jolina Magdangal, Roselle Nava, and Carol Banawa to mention a few.

'di ba't kay ganda sa atin ng pasko

Naiiba ang pagdiriwang dito

Pasko sa ati'y hahanap-hanapin mo

Walang katulad dito ang pasko

Lagi mo na maiisip na sila'y nandito sana

At sa noche buena ay magkakasama

Ang pasko ay kay saya kung kayo'y kapiling na

Sana pagsapit ng pasko, kayo'y naririto

Kahit pa malayo ka, kahit nasaan ka pa

Maligayang bati para sa inyo sa araw ng pasko

Sa ibang bansa'y 'di mo makikita

Ang ngiti sa labi ng bawat isa

Alam naming hindi n'yo nais malayo

Paskong pinoy pa rin sa ating puso

Dito'y mayro'ng caroling at may simbang gabi

At naglalakihan pa ang christmas tree, ang christmas tree

Timeless Christmas Songs: My Grown Up Christmas List by Kelly Clarkson

6. MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST (Kelly Clarkson)

I really like her version because Kelly proves that she is not just a pop rocker but she can sing slow tempo songs. Her voice and her rendition captivates me.

Timeless Christmas Songs: Feliz Navidad by Boney M

7. FELIZ NAVIDAD (Boney M., 1981)

Originally done by Jose Feliciano in the 1970's and revived by Boney M. It has a soulful and groovy version. One of the Christmas songs which can be sung in carolling by the kids and adults and it can be easily memorized. "Feliz Navidad" is a Spanish word meaning Happy Christmas. It is a Christmas pop song played throughout the United States and the Spanish-speaking world.

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad

Prospero ano felicidad. 

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero ano felicidad. 


I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas.
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas.
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas.
From the bottom of my heart.

Timeless Christmas Songs: White Christmas by Michael Bublé

8. WHITE CHRISTMAS (Michael Buble) 


His version of "White Christmas" is soothing to the ears and it is near to the standard version. Michael Buble is such a romantic crooner to take on that song but I really appreciate his version.

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

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

Timeless Christmas Songs: White Christmas by BoA

9. White Christmas (BoA)


BoA is a Korean singer who invade the Asian music scene. She had a classy version of "White Christmas" which she shown her sultry voice and her Asian flavor to the song. Her version is soothing to the ears and it was truly Asian!

Timeless Christmas Songs: All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey, 1994)

10.  ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU (Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas, 1994)

I love the introduction of the song which began by bell chimes and followed by slow tempo music and continued by the upbeat part. The song is truly meaningful and lively.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas

Is you

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

And I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won't make me happy

With a toy on Christmas Day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

You baby

Oh I won't ask for much this Christmas

I won't even wish for snow

And I'm just gonna keep on waiting

Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it

To the North Pole for Saint Nick

I won't even stay awake to

Hear those magic reindeer click

'Cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do?

Baby all I want for Christmas is you

You

Oh all the lights are shining

So brightly everywhere

And the sound of children's

Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need?

Won't you please bring my baby to me?

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas

This is all I'm asking for

I just want to see my baby

Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Baby all I want for Christmas is

You baby

All I want for Christmas is you baby

All I want for Christmas is you baby

All I want for Christmas is you baby

A Glimpse of Melody in Timeless Christmas Carols

My idea of a perfect Christmas is to spend it with you. - Jose Mari Chan, "A Perfect Christmas"

Carols are songs played during Christmas season. Since when I was a kid, I grown up listening to those Christmas carols with our cassette player in our house. My father played cassettes from a tape of country singers with their renditions of Christmas songs to groovy and soulful versions from Boney M. I enjoyed listening to these songs during Christmas because you can hear these songs on the radio and even on the Internet in the month of December. Then until I become an adult, I am still enjoying listening and humming Christmas carols. 

When I was a kid, I joined my peers in the evening of Christmas eve for carolling where we visit different houses to sing carols and the residents will give presents (such as cash or food) for our performance. We used handmade musical instruments such as drums from milk cans or tambourine made of tanzans (bottle caps) and wire. In addition, teenagers and adults are also fond of carolling with the use of musical instruments such as guitar and tambourine.

I am always entertained with the little voices as well with their song choices of kids when they have their carolling in our house. When they sing Tagalog Christmas songs such as "Boom Tarat Tarat" by Willie Revillame which played in the defunct noontime show "Wowowee" and the classic Tagalog songs "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" and "Pasko Na Naman." After they sang their carols, we will give them money and the children were singing "thank you, thank you ang babait ninyo thank you" (Thank you for being nice). In addition, teenagers and adults were able to have their carolling also for the purpose of fund raising activity this Christmas in order to help other people. I am also looking forward that Filipino kids will sing Christmas carols like "12 Days of Christmas", "Jingle Bells", "Deck The Halls" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" because it will match their age and the lyrics as well.

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me. A partridge in a pear tree. - 12 Days of Christmas

Most of the Christmas carols came from centuries ago, there are different cover versions performed by various artists. For example, the 18th century song "Silent Night" which was originally from Germany. It was covered by different artists including Bing Crosby, Enya (which was sung in Irish) and X Factor winners Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry. Another example is "Joy to the World' which was first published in the 17th century and based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. It was revived by different artists such as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. 

1. The cover of the album "Merry Christmas" by Mariah Carey which includes hits "All I Want for Christmas is You", "Joy to the World" and "O Holy Night"; 2. Amy Grant from the music video "My Grown Up Christmas List"; 3. George Michael of Wham! from the music video "Last Christmas"; 4. The collaboration of recording artists and band singers of the 80's for Africa or known as Band Aid in the music video "Do They Know Its Christmas"; 5. Liz Mitchell of Boney M. in Feliz Navidad and 6. Asian singer, BoA in her music video "Merry Christmas".

There are also other Christmas carols which is timeless such as "Feliz Navidad" by Boney M in the 1970's; "White Christmas" which was played in 1942 movie "Holliday Inn" which was sang by Bing Crosby, Dolly Parton, Michael Buble and Boa; "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey; "Last Christmas" by Wham; and "My Grown Up Christmas List" by Amy Grant and revived by Kelly Clarkson.

In the Philippines, there are also classic Christmas love songs and carols. Love songs such as "Sana Ngayong Pasko" by Ariel Rivera, "Pasko Na Sinta Ko" by Gary V. and "Nakaraang Pasko" by Kuh Ledesma tells a message about a loved one they missed during Christmas. There are also songs that expresses happiness during Christmas such as "Paskong Anong Saya", "Kumukuti-kutitap" composed by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by Joey Albert, and "Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko" by Apo Hiking Society and revived by Orange and Lemons. Aside from that message of happiness and missing someone this Christmas, there are also Christmas songs that is inspirational like "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "A Perfect Christmas" by Jose Mari Chan and "Sa Araw Ng Pasko".


Carols are truly a part of the Christmas season. They are the music and the spirit of the Yuletide season because these songs are familiar in different parts of the world. The meanings of these Christmas carols are to remember the persons who loved us and most of all, remember God who gave us the blessings and the best things we had in our life.

Let’s sing Merry Christmas
And a happy holiday,
This season may we never forget
The love we have for Jesus
Let Him be the One to guide us
As another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas
Be always in our hearts. 

- Christmas in Our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan