How in the world did I miss this?

I was looking back at the posts I wrote about my favorite Christmas songs, and it suddenly occurred to me:

Two songs from the best Christmas television special ever were not included.

SMF! (Smacking My Forehead)

A Charlie Brown Christmas, first broadcast on CBS in December, 1965, became an instant classic, due in no small part to the inspired choice of a soundtrack courtesy of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Whoever decided jazz was the appropriate background music for a kid’s Christmas show was a visionary.

And two songs from that show stand out, in particular:

Christmas Time is Here, the opening number, is a soft and gentle remembrance of some of the things that make the season so beloved, sung by a chorus of children. It’s beautiful in its simplicity; the words and music stay with you, and bring a smile to your face every time. It warms you like a big, cozy blanket.

“Oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year.” Couldn’t agree more.

Then, there’s Linus and Lucy, the peppy instrumental that gets all the kids at the Christmas pageant up and dancing, with Schroeder pounding his piano with abandon, Pig-Pen keeping time on the acoustic bass, and Snoopy alternately playing and dancing joyfully with his guitar.

Come on: tell me this isn’t what you think of anytime you hear this tune.

These songs definitely belong on my list of Christmas favorites; I can’t believe I omitted them!

Oh well, here they are. Enjoy.

And enjoy the holidays, as well.