Winter Wonderland

“Winter Wonderland,” with its vivid cold weather imagery, seems like it was tailor-made to sing around Christmastime. But much like “Jingle Bells,” the song wasn’t actually written for the holiday season. The lyrics were penned in the 1930s by Richard Bernhard Smith, who was suffering from tuberculosis at the time and holed up indoors. Smith stared out his window observing kids playing innocently in the snow and wrote a poem evoking feelings of the carefree days he once knew. Smith’s friend and musician Felix Bernard took the lyrics and composed a melody to go with them. Even though the song never specifically mentions Christmas, it quickly became a holiday standard.

Gifts have both Christian and Pagan origins

Christians may have grown up learning that we give gifts at Christmas to mimic the presents the Three Wise Men brought the baby Jesus. But like so many other traditions, that also has its roots in Saturnalia. The pagans originally gave offerings to the gods, too.

“Winter Wonderland”

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening, A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird, Here to stay is a new bird, He sings a love song, as we go along, Walking in a winter wonderland.

(Chorus) In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is Parson Brown, He’ll say: Are you married? We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job while you’re in town.

Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire, To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland.

(Chorus) When it snows, ain’t it thrilling, Though your nose gets a chilling We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, Walking in a winter wonderland.

Walking in a winter wonderland, Walking in a winter wonderland.

REJOICE!

May the grace of God’s love shine down on you this season FILLING your soul with delight.

THANK YOU! for your faith in us and your kindness, and may God bless you and yours this Christmas and always.

DARLENE TUNNELL Tunnell Real Estate 149 West Main Van, Texas 75790 903-963-5101 www.tunnellrealestate.net

Lyrics by Richard Bernhard Smith; melody by Felix Bernard Lyrics courtesy of Christmassongs.net

Thanks for Filling Our Year With So Much Cheer

We’re so very grateful for the opportunity to spend this special season with all of you Thank you for filling our year with friendship and fond memories. We really do appreciate your loyal support, and we wish you and your loved ones the best of everything this Christmas season and always. Taylor Automotive

We can’t think of a better place to celebrate the holidays than right here with all of you. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our business.

To our friends, customers and neighbors all around town, warmest wishes for a very merry Christmas and a healthy, happy year ahead.

AIRPORT TIRE

37270 HWY 64,

Wills Point, TX 75169 903-873-5555