♪ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ♪ - [Announcer] Welcome to "Main Street Unplugged Yuletide," underwritten by H-E-B and Betenbough Homes.

Sponsored by Arts Council of Midland.

- The holidays are a special time of year, and this year is no different.

Welcome to "Main Street Unplugged Yuletide," Basin PBS's beloved holiday special.

I'm Krista Escamilla, and it is a pleasure to share this evening with all of you.

We are coming to you tonight from the Basin PBS Anwar Family Studio.

We would like to thank our sponsor, the Arts Council of Midland, H-E-B, and Betenbough Homes for underwriting tonight's show, and Miss Cayce's Wonderland for the beautiful trees you'll see here on our set tonight, and our wonderful Basin PBS board who continues to support our mission.

I also wanna thank the Yeager family as well as the Anwar family, whose support has made who we are today possible.

And of course, our musical director, the ever-talented Bert Bostic, along with our ever-talented musical guests.

They are truly incredible, and you are in for a treat.

So grab yourself some eggnog and cookies, curl up with your loved ones, grab that warm, cozy blanket, sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy some classic holiday songs as we take you caroling to get you in the spirit of the season, in the comfort of your own home.

Now, due to the ongoing health pandemic, we do not have a live studio audience.

Those wonderful applause you'll hear are our guests, our musical guests.

And we hope to have you all here in studio again next year.

But Basin PBS's mission is to bring excellent quality programming to you, our valued viewers, and tonight's show is no exception.

Tonight, we will hear beautiful music, share a story or two, and maybe even hear the sound of jingle bells.

- [Both] 'Twas the night before Christmas- - When all through the house, not a creature was stirring.

- Not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care- - In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

(chiming music) (tinkling music) (chiming music) (lively orchestral music) (lively orchestral music continues) (chiming music) (delicate music) (rousing music) (tinkling music) (delicate music) (chiming music) (bright piano music) ♪ Haul out the holly ♪ ♪ Put up the tree before my ♪ ♪ Spirit falls again ♪ ♪ Fill up the stockings ♪ ♪ I may be rushing things ♪ ♪ But deck the halls again now ♪ ♪ For we need a little Christmas ♪ ♪ Right this very minute ♪ ♪ Candles in the window ♪ ♪ Carols at the spinet, and we need a little Christmas ♪ ♪ Right this very minute ♪ ♪ Hasn't snowed a single flurry ♪ ♪ But Santa dear we're in a hurry ♪ ♪ So climb down the chimney ♪ ♪ Hang up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen ♪ ♪ Slice up the fruitcake ♪ ♪ It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough ♪ ♪ 'Cause I've grown a little leaner ♪ ♪ Grown a little colder ♪ ♪ Grown a little sadder, grown a little older ♪ ♪ And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder ♪ ♪ Need a little Christmas now ♪ (bright piano music) ♪ For we need a little music ♪ ♪ Need a little laughter ♪ ♪ Need a little singing ringing through the rafters ♪ ♪ And we need a little snappy happy ever after ♪ ♪ We need a little Christmas now ♪ (performers applauding) (chiming music) - The children were nestled all snug in their beds.

- While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

- And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

(chiming music) (bright piano music) ♪ Christmas future is far away ♪ ♪ Christmas past is passed ♪ ♪ Christmas present is here today ♪ ♪ Bringing joy that will last ♪ ♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas ♪ ♪ Let your heart be light ♪ ♪ Next year all our troubles will be out of sight ♪ ♪ Have yourself a merry little Christmas ♪ ♪ Make the yuletide gay ♪ ♪ Next year all our troubles will be miles away ♪ ♪ Once again as in olden days ♪ ♪ Happy golden days of yore ♪ ♪ Faithful friends who were dear to us ♪ ♪ Will be near to us ♪ ♪ Once more ♪ ♪ Someday soon we all will be together ♪ ♪ If the fates allow ♪ ♪ Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow ♪ ♪ So have yourself a merry little Christmas ♪ ♪ Now ♪ (chiming music) - When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.

- I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash.

- Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below.

(chiming music) (cheery piano music) (cheery piano music continues) (cheery piano music continues) (chiming music) (bright orchestral music) ♪ The sun is shining ♪ ♪ The grass is green ♪ ♪ The orange and palm trees sway ♪ ♪ There's never been such a day ♪ ♪ In Beverly Hills, L.A. ♪ ♪ But it's December the 24th ♪ ♪ And I am longing to be up north ♪ ♪ 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 ♪ ♪ 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 ♪ (bright orchestral music) (chiming music) - When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

- A little old driver so lively and quick.

- I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

(sleigh bells jingling) (lively piano music) ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ It's the best time of the year ♪ ♪ I don't know if there'll be snow ♪ ♪ But have a cup of cheer ♪ ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ And when you walk down the street ♪ ♪ Say hello to friends you know ♪ ♪ And everyone you meet ♪ ♪ Oh, ho, the mistletoe ♪ ♪ Hung where you can see ♪ ♪ Somebody waits for you ♪ ♪ Kiss him once for me ♪ ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ And in case you didn't hear ♪ ♪ Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year ♪ ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ It's the best time of the year ♪ ♪ I don't know if there'll be snow ♪ ♪ But have a cup of cheer ♪ ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ And when you walk down the street ♪ ♪ Say hello to friends you know ♪ ♪ And everyone you meet ♪ ♪ Oh, ho, the mistletoe ♪ ♪ Hung where you can see ♪ ♪ Somebody waits for you ♪ ♪ Kiss him once for me ♪ ♪ Have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ And in case you didn't hear ♪ ♪ Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas ♪ ♪ This year ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) - More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came.

- And he whistled.

- And shouted.

- And called them by name.

- Now Dasher, now Dancer.

- Now Prancer and Vixen.

- On Comet.

- On Cupid.

- [Both] On Donder and Blitzen.

- To the top of the porch.

- To the top of the wall.

- Now dash away.

- Dash away.

- Dash away, all.

(sleigh bells jingling) (mellow piano music) ♪ 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 the new bird ♪ ♪ Who sings a love song as we go along ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ In the meadow we can build a snowman ♪ ♪ And pretend that he is Parson Brown ♪ ♪ He'll say are you married, we'll say no, man ♪ ♪ But you can do the job when 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 ♪ (bright piano music) ♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪ ♪ Are you listening ♪ ♪ In the lane ♪ ♪ Snow is glistening ♪ ♪ A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter ♪ ♪ Wonderland ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) (lively music) (lively music continues) (lively music continues) (sleigh bells jingling) (bright piano music) ♪ Jesus, Jesus ♪ ♪ Oh, what a wonderful child ♪ ♪ Jesus, Jesus ♪ ♪ So holy, meek, and mild ♪ ♪ New life, new hope to all he brings ♪ ♪ Listen to the angels sing ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, glory ♪ ♪ To the newborn King ♪ ♪ He was carried by the angels ♪ ♪ Born in a lowly manger ♪ ♪ Virgin Mary was his mother ♪ ♪ Joseph was his earthly father ♪ ♪ Three wise men came from afar ♪ ♪ They were led there by a shining star ♪ ♪ To see the babe where he lay ♪ ♪ In a manger filled with hay ♪ ♪ I'm talking about Jesus ♪ ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ Oh, what a wonderful child ♪ ♪ Jesus, Jesus ♪ ♪ So holy, meek, and mild ♪ ♪ New life, new hope to all he brings ♪ ♪ Listen to the angels sing ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, glory ♪ ♪ To the newborn King ♪ ♪ Jesus, the savior of the world ♪ ♪ Jesus, my light in darkness ♪ ♪ Jesus, hope for tomorrow ♪ ♪ Jesus, joy in the time of sorrow ♪ ♪ Jesus, Jesus ♪ ♪ Oh, what a wonderful child ♪ ♪ Jesus, Jesus ♪ ♪ So holy, meek, and mild ♪ ♪ Brand new life, new hope to all he brings ♪ ♪ Listen to the angels sing ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, glory ♪ ♪ To the newborn King ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) - Wow, the amazing Mama Sue Roseberry.

She was incredible.

- Amazing.

- Amazing.

Well, what a wonderful evening so far.

This season brings back so many fond memories of being a kid, Albert, when I was young, and then having my own four children.

Hi, guys.

The excitement of Santa.

Of course, school concerts, decorating the tree, wrapping presents, making our Christmas lists, and making sure that just the right amount of cookies and milk and reindeer food was left out.

And Elf on the Shelf.

I know.

We always have to remember Elf on the Shelf.

I forget sometimes, but Elf on the Shelf is amazing.

And of course, all wonderful memories.

And Albert Hall joins us now.

Albert, we're looking forward to hearing you sing.

We've heard you sing throughout West Texas for years.

You're an amazing talent.

- Well, thank you.

I appreciate it.

And I'm definitely looking forward to doing it again.

- Well, tell us what some of your favorite memories.

I just shared some of mine.

What are your favorite Christmas stories?

- Okay, I have one of my absolute most favorite memory.

It is waking up every Christmas morning, and we all would go over to my uncle and aunt's house.

And every Christmas morning before we could open any gifts, we would open up with prayer and things like that.

And then my aunt would read this book to us called "The Gift of the Magi."

And that is always gonna be embedded in my head, and that is my most favorite memory of Christmas.

- I love that, and I think that's what the holidays are about, it's about being together and making those traditions and sharing that time together.

We love to get in our jammies like Mr. and Mrs. Claus are here tonight and get in the car, get the hot cocoa, and drive around and look at Christmas lights.

- Oh, there you go.

That's always fun.

- There's another favorite with our kiddos, but it is truly the most beautiful time of the year.

Tell us a little bit about what singing means to you and how it fills you with joy, 'cause I can tell you are filled with joy when you sing.

- Well, I love music, I love, I've always sang from the time, I mean, from as long as I can remember, I've been doing music.

But especially in this season where it is politically correct that we can say Jesus and be okay with it, and it's fun.

And so I just love to spread joy, to say the name of Jesus, and to just celebrate especially what this season, you know, what it means and all that.

- It's the reason for the season.

- That's right.

That's right.

- All right, well, Albert, we look forward to hearing you coming up in just a few minutes.

I know that you're doing a couple songs for us.

Give us a little sneak peek.

What songs are we gonna hear?

- You might hear "Mary, Did You Know."

That might be coming up.

- Favorite, yes.

- And then maybe a little Christmas medley of some traditional Christmas songs.

- Fantastic.

Can't wait.

We're gonna take a quick break, and when we come back, we are going to hear the amazing talents of Albert Hall.

Stay with us.

- Hi, it's me, Emily, your Basin PBS membership director here with some special words about Basin PBS.

And I want to be clear, I'm here with the guarantee that there will be no solicitations, no special messages on the screen, no superimposed messages.

Good.

I'm here because I believe in quality.

Quality is what makes the programs you see here on Basin PBS so special.

Having said that, it's our belief that people don't need to be told to call and donate to our programs.

And by now, people know there is a website where you can contribute.

Frankly, we are offended when stations beg for money, even for a worthy cause like this.

So confirm my belief in humanity that you don't need these coarse reminders.

My fellow viewers, thank you for your time.

(traffic rumbling) - Welcome back, everyone, to "Yuletide."

We are so happy that you are here.

This is our third annual event, and it truly is magical to hear these talented artists, talented artists just like Lisa Jebsen who's here with us tonight.

Lisa, you sang so beautiful earlier.

Thank you so much for being here.

- Oh, thanks for having me.

It's an honor to be here.

It's lots of fun.

- Well, when did you start singing?

I know it's such a gift.

When did you start sharing your gift?

- I was in grade school, I think it was about fifth grade.

And I just announced to my mom one day that I would be auditioning for "Gypsy."

I knew they needed kids for the first scene of the show.

So I just said, this is how it's gonna be, Mom.

(laughs) Get me to the audition, please.

- And you were hooked.

The acting bug got you.

- Fully.

- I love it.

I think the first time I saw you on Midland Community Theatre's stage was as Miss Hannigan in "Annie," and you were amazing.

- Oh, thanks, I hate that it kinda came natural to me to be so mean and yell so much, but it was a lot of fun.

We had a really great cast.

- It's always a reminder.

It's just acting, kids.

It's just acting.

She really does like you a lot.

Well, that is fantastic.

And we wanna know about your favorite Christmas memory, because Christmas, this is what it's all about.

We're here sharing tonight and sharing stories.

Do you have a favorite memory?

- I absolutely do, and this is gonna sound like I'm totally trying to brown-nose my husband Tim, but it has to be the Christmas in 1990 when we told everybody that we were engaged.

And it just, it all lit up.

You know, our whole family in our house was together, of course, and just calling the folks.

This is how long ago that was, you know, we had the phone on the wall.

- Was connected to the wall?

- Was connected to the wall.

There was a landline, and had to get the cord pulled long enough to call all the aunts and uncles and share the news, and it was just really fun.

Everybody was so happy for us.

- I love that.

Of course, we've had candy canes show up here tonight.

And I heard there's a lady that actually collects candy canes, and they're in mint condition.

(drum sting trills) - Anyone?

I've been waiting all night to say that one.

(Lisa laughs) Thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Mom jokes, dad jokes, you've got 'em all.

- Exactly.

But now there's Olaf on our set.

So we've had candy canes, Olaf.

- Wow.

- Is it summertime?

♪ It's summer ♪ No, no.

Hello, Olaf.

We love you.

We're so glad you could be here tonight.

Now, be careful.

These lights are hot.

We don't want you to melt.

We're so thankful to have our candy canes, our Olaf.

Who knows what will show up next?

But I do know we have some very talented artists coming up next, and Lisa, I thank you for sharing your talents with us here tonight.

This truly was amazing, and we hope that you'll come back year after year.

This is a tradition that we are so proud to have here at Basin PBS with all of our West Texas talent, because I know that y'all deserve these shining lights on you all the time, and we're happy that we could do it here, so thank you.

- Thank you.

Sign me up.

- All right, I think I'm ready to hear some more music and more of our stories, so let's continue with our beautiful evening of "Yuletide."

(sleigh bells jingling) - As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly.

- When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky.

- So up to the housetop, the coursers, they flew.

- With a sleigh full of toys.

- And St. Nicholas, too.

(sleigh bells jingling) (gentle piano music) ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would one day walk on water ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ Your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would save our sons and daughters ♪ ♪ Did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Has come to make you new ♪ ♪ And this child that you delivered ♪ ♪ He will soon deliver you ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would give sight to a blind man ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ Your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would calm a storm with his hands ♪ ♪ Did you know, yes ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Has walked where angels trod ♪ ♪ And when you kiss your little baby ♪ ♪ You've kissed the face of God ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah, yes ♪ ♪ The blind will see, the deaf will hear ♪ ♪ The dead will live again ♪ ♪ And the lame will leap, the dumb will speak ♪ ♪ The praises of the Lamb ♪ ♪ Tell me Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ Your baby boy ♪ ♪ He's Lord of all creation ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would one day rule the nations ♪ ♪ Did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Is heaven's perfect Lamb ♪ ♪ And this sleeping child you're holding ♪ ♪ Is the Great I ♪ ♪ I Am ♪ ♪ Yeah, yes ♪ ♪ Tell me, Mary, did you know ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) (bright drum music) (bright music) ♪ Come thy told me ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ A newborn King to see ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Our finest gifts we bring ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ To lay before the King ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum-pum, rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ So to honor him ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ When we come ♪ ♪ Little baby ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ I am a poor boy too ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ I have no gift to bring ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ That's fit to give our King ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum-pum, rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Shall I play for you ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ On my drum ♪ (lively music) ♪ Mary nodded ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ The ox and lamb kept time ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ I played my drum for him ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ I played my best for him ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum-pum, rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Then he smiled at me ♪ ♪ Pa rum pum pum-pum ♪ ♪ Me and my drum ♪ (sleigh bells jingling) - And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof- - The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

- As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

(sleigh bells jingling) ♪ O come, all ye faithful ♪ ♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪ ♪ O come ye, o come ye ♪ ♪ To Bethlehem ♪ ♪ O come and behold him ♪ ♪ Born the King of angels ♪ ♪ O come, let us adore him ♪ ♪ O come, let us adore him ♪ ♪ O come, let us adore him ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord ♪ ♪ Noel, noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Born is the King ♪ ♪ Of Israel ♪ ♪ Sing noel, noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Born is the King ♪ ♪ Of Israel ♪ ♪ Everybody oughta go ♪ ♪ Go tell it on the mountain ♪ ♪ Over the hills ♪ ♪ And every, everywhere ♪ ♪ Go, go tell it on the mountain ♪ ♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪ ♪ Everybody oughta go ♪ ♪ Go tell it on the mountain ♪ ♪ Over the hills and every, everywhere ♪ ♪ Go, go tell it on the mountain ♪ ♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪ ♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪ ♪ That Jesus Christ ♪ ♪ Is born ♪ ♪ Joy to the world ♪ ♪ Joy to the world ♪ ♪ Joy to the world ♪ ♪ The Lord is come ♪ ♪ Come let us adore him ♪ ♪ Kneel down ♪ ♪ Kneel down before him ♪ ♪ Oh, to worship and adore ♪ ♪ Worship and adore him ♪ ♪ Come let us, come ♪ ♪ Come let us adore him ♪ ♪ Kneel down before him ♪ ♪ Worship and adore him ♪ ♪ Emmanuel, Emmanuel ♪ ♪ He was born to save the world ♪ ♪ Emmanuel, Mary's baby boy ♪ ♪ Emmanuel, sing God is with us ♪ ♪ Emmanuel, we worship you ♪ ♪ We worship you ♪ ♪ We worship you, yes ♪ ♪ We worship you ♪ ♪ O God, we worship you ♪ ♪ We worship you ♪ ♪ Come let us adore him ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) - He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

- A bundle of toys he had flung on his back.

- And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled.

His dimples, how merry.

- His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.

- And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

(sleigh bells jingling) (bright piano music) ♪ The first day after Christmas ♪ ♪ My true love and I had a fight ♪ ♪ And so I chopped the pear tree down ♪ ♪ And burnt it just for spite ♪ ♪ Then with a single cartridge ♪ ♪ I shot that blasted partridge ♪ ♪ My true love, my true love ♪ ♪ My true love, my true love ♪ ♪ My true love gave to me ♪ ♪ The second day after Christmas ♪ ♪ I pulled on the old rubber gloves ♪ ♪ And very gently wrung the necks ♪ ♪ Of both the turtle doves ♪ ♪ My true love, my true love ♪ ♪ My true love gave to me ♪ ♪ The third day after Christmas ♪ ♪ My mother caught the croup ♪ ♪ I had to use the three French hens ♪ ♪ To make some chicken soup ♪ ♪ The four calling birds were a big mistake ♪ ♪ For their language was obscene ♪ ♪ The five golden rings were completely fake ♪ ♪ And they turned my fingers green ♪ ♪ The sixth day after Christmas ♪ ♪ The six laying geese wouldn't lay ♪ ♪ I gave the whole darn gaggle to the ASPCA ♪ ♪ The seventh day, what a mess I found ♪ ♪ All seven of the swimming swans had drowned ♪ ♪ My true love, my true love ♪ ♪ My true love gave to me ♪ ♪ The eighth day after Christmas ♪ ♪ Before they could suspect ♪ ♪ I bundled up the eight maids a-milking ♪ ♪ Nine pipers piping, ten ladies dancing ♪ ♪ Eleven lords a-leaping, twelve drummers drumming ♪ - [Bert] Well, I think you took one of the drummers home with you.

♪ And sent them back collect ♪ ♪ I wrote my true love, we are through, love ♪ ♪ And I said in so many words ♪ ♪ Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the birds ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) - The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth.

- And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.

- He had a broad face.

- And a little round belly.

- That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

- He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf.

- And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

(sleigh bells jingling) (gentle piano music) ♪ O holy night ♪ ♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪ ♪ Long lay the world ♪ ♪ In sin and error pining ♪ ♪ Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪ ♪ A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices ♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ ♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪ ♪ Oh night ♪ ♪ Divine ♪ ♪ Oh night when Christ was born ♪ ♪ Oh night ♪ ♪ Divine ♪ ♪ Oh night ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ (bright piano music) ♪ Truly he taught us ♪ ♪ To love one another ♪ ♪ With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand ♪ ♪ So led by light ♪ ♪ Of a star sweetly gleaming ♪ ♪ Here came the wise men from the Orient land ♪ ♪ The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger ♪ ♪ In all our trials born to be our friend ♪ ♪ He knows our need ♪ ♪ To our weakness ♪ ♪ No stranger ♪ ♪ Behold ♪ ♪ Your King ♪ ♪ Before ♪ ♪ The lowly bend ♪ ♪ Behold ♪ ♪ Your King ♪ ♪ Your King ♪ ♪ Before him lowly ♪ ♪ Bend ♪ (performers applauding) (sleigh bells jingling) - We hope this evening has brought you a taste of the holiday season.

And I know you have noticed this wonderful person before me, tree, candy cane, Olaf.

But as we know and love her as the CEO and general manager of Basin PBS, Laura Wolf.

- Oh, thank you.

I had so much fun.

- Yay.

(performers applauding) - I tell you, last year I did this tree and I thought, man, they're gonna give me an inch and I'm gonna take a mile this year.

(Krista and Laura laugh) - And you did, and you did it beautifully.

- And I did.

And I had so much fun.

This is my favorite show of the year.

We have just incredible talent in West Texas.

- The talent here on this set- - I know.

Amazing.

- Was incredible.

Do you have a favorite?

- Tonight?

- Yes.

- Well, they're all my favorite.

And I'm known to cry.

- Yes.

- And we all know that, but the trio tonight, when my father died a few years ago, they showed up at my mom's house in the front yard at Christmastime and sang that trio of songs.

And it changed the whole grieving process for us.

And it blessed me for the rest of my life.

So that had to be my favorite only because it took me back to some wonderful memories of my dad.

- And it was beautiful.

- It was beautiful.

- And they sang it so beautifully, and it touched us all.

And I'm so happy that you shared that story with us tonight 'cause your dad was an incredible man.

- He was Santa.

- He was.

- For years and years he was.

- He was Santa.

- He was the city Santa and all kinds of Santas around town.

But we have a great Santa here later that I'm excited about.

- We sure do, and we have so many people to thank for tonight.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsor, the Arts Council of Midland.

- That's right.

- Betenbough Homes and H-E-B for underwriting tonight.

How amazing is that?

- That is amazing.

The show's really caught on, and I'm so happy that we have these sponsors that wanna share joy.

- I know, 'cause that's what it's all about, it is, sharing joy.

And Miss Cayce's Wonderland.

- Oh, gosh.

- Love Becky and Kathy.

They truly are amazing.

And they decorated all the trees we see here tonight, including our favorite tree.

- Yes.

(Krista laughs) I will tell you, it's hot.

- It is hot.

See, it's a good thing you're not Olaf right now.

You'd be a puddle.

- I know.

- You'd be a puddle right now.

- I may go back to one next year.

- We'd also like to thank our Basin PBS board.

They give a hundred percent support in all we do.

- They're awesome.

- And of course, the Yaeger family and the Anwar family, Bert Bostic.

- Oh, amazing.

- And these, yes, whoo, let's give Bert a big round of applause.

(performers applauding) - I think he should've given me triangle lessons, but that's okay.

- I thought you did great.

I like the ding, ding.

- Thank you.

- Yes, that was good.

Doong, doong.

And we also, of course, do not wanna forget our amazing staff here.

You really, truly have the best staff in TV.

- I do.

- They are incredible.

- I do.

It's an incredible staff, every single one of them.

You know, the best book I've ever read is "Good to Great."

And it talks about a seat on the bus.

What seat on the bus do you have?

And everybody's in the right seat.

- Oh, I love that.

- I love that.

- Don't you love that when everyone's right where they should be?

- Yes.

- I think that is fantastic.

And we also wanna thank our members and donors of Basin PBS.

- Always.

- Laura, tonight's programming would not be possible without their support.

- I know.

- And viewers like you.

We hope you've enjoyed this show.

We know we have.

If they're not a member, how easy is it to become a member, Laura?

- Oh, it is so easy.

Just go to basinpbs.org, or call us, 563-5728.

And you can be a member for $5 a month.

- It's that easy.

- And with that, you get the PBS streaming service Passport, and you get a monthly letter from me- - I love that.

- That has stuff in it.

- Good stuff.

- Yeah.

- Good, good stuff.

- But we need memberships.

That's what keeps us going.

That's what kept our lights on here.

And we just appreciate our members so much.

- As we appreciate you too, Laura.

So thank you so much.

- Thank you.

- We wanna wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, especially I wanna say hi to my husband and my kids who are watching, and my family, this is what it's about.

It's about being with the ones you love.

- Yes, it's all about being with the ones you love.

- Yes, and what is that I hear, Laura?

(bells jingling) - I hear bells.

Oh, and behold.

- Santa!

Mrs. Claus!

(Santa laughs) - [Laura] Aw.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- [Santa] He sprang to his sleigh.

- [Mrs. Claus] To his team, gave a whistle.

- And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

- But I heard him explain ere he drove out of sight.

- [All] Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

(bright music)