Christmas Eve at the Elysian Fields

A spectacular full moon on a cold, crisp Christmas Eve and it doesn't get any better than that. Mars followed the moon into the sky and you can only imagine from that what it was like a couple of thousand years ago when shepherds were watching in the fields and the kings came from the east.

Toby took his stroll by the light of the moon as we wondered if Marley and the three ghosts were going to visit anybody tonight and if somewhere tomorrow, another Old Man as grumpy as Darren McGavin was going to make his son's dream come true with a Red Ryder BB gun hidden behind the desk

But the best Christmas stories aren't always found on the silver screen but in real life, like in 1914 and the Christmas Truce when the Germans and the Allied soldiers actually did put down their weapons, shook hands, exchanged gifts, sang songs and played a game of soccer. Or football, as they call it and according to the History Channel it was Germans 3, England 2.

Even back then Beckham couldn't win the big one.

Sorry we missed Monday Morning Manager but what were we going to debate: Charlie Brown's Christmas vs. Magoo's Christmas Carol? Hark the Herald Angels Sing vs. Oh Come All Ye Faithful? Jingle Bell Rock vs. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?

Alastair Sims vs. George C. Scott?

I'll take George C. Scott anytime, except you haven't see A Christmas Carol until you have seen it live at the American Conservatory Theater off Union Square in San Francisco. Thirty years later and it's still a Christmas tradition in my adopted hometown, right up there with Midnight Mass at St. Ignatius Church, high on The Hilltop.

No need to discuss baseball, not on this night, the holiest night of the year. Remember wise men still seek Him. In some places they wish you Happy Holidays but not here at the Elysian Fields.

Merry Christmas to all.