Everyone in the world has a favorite piece of media they enjoy most around the Holidays. Whatever you may celebrate with your family and friends in December, there's likely a book, movie, episode of a TV show, or some obscure recording you caught on VHS one night long ago that gives you the warm fuzzies to this day. A few classic examples are The Charlie Brown Christmas Special and Die Hard (yes, it is a Christmas movie).
For me, my favorite Holiday Special has, and likely always will be, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Not necessarily the entire special (though it is a fantastic one through and through), but for a specific part of it, which I have always found the most enduring and perfectly encapsulates the true spirit of the Holidays.
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street first aired on television on December 3, 1978. My first viewing of the special was from an old VHS recording of the show my parents made. The special revolves around the main plot (Big Bird trying to figure out how Santa Claus goes down the chimney) while a series of Holiday related subplots fills the time in between. Some subplots include Cookie Monster trying to communicate with Santa the need for lots of Cookies under the tree, and Oscar The Grouch dealing with his frustration at the Holidays.
But the one subplot of this fascinating Holiday special involves two of the most famous duos in pop culture, Bert & Ernie. It has remained one of my favorite Holiday stories to this day.
First, a little context. Bert & Ernie have been two staples of Sesame Street pretty much since the beginning of the show in 1969. As far as the audience was concerned, they were two best friends who happened to be roommates. Many viewers have attributed them to classic comedy duos like Laural & Hardy or Abbot & Costello due to their comedic antics and occasionally conflicting personalities.
An essential aspect of their characters, which plays a significant role in their subplot of the Holiday Special, is their most prized possessions: Ernie's rubber ducky and Bert's paperclip collection.
On Christmas Eve, Bert & Ernie contemplate what to get the other for Christmas. They both want their gifts to be unique and thoughtful.
Bert decides to get Ernie a soap dish for his rubber ducky to help keep his favorite toy afloat and in a safe place when not in use. At the same time, Ernie decides to get Bert an empty cigar box as a safe place to store his paper clip collection.
Here's where things get really creative and meaningful.
In Sesame Street (at least at the time of the Christmas Specials airing), there is a little shop run by a kind man named Mr. Hooper (Will Lee), who provides groceries and other essential things for the town.
Right as Ernie is on his way out the door, Bert walks into the store to buy the soap dish for Ernie. However, he also doesn't have any money and offers the only thing of value to him; his beloved paper clip collection for trade. Again, Mr. Hooper seems skeptical of the idea, knowing how much Bert values his collection, but Bert insists, and the trade is made. The scene ends with a touching moment as Bert tries to ask if he can occasionally visit his collection.
Later that night, Bert & Ernie decide to open each other's gifts early. As they open each other's gifts and are delightfully surprised, they are just as suddenly heartbroken upon discovering what the gift was initially for. They are touched by each other's sacrifice but are unwilling to admit it was ever made.
Just before either one of them can fess up, Mr. Hooper comes knocking at the door for a surprise visit, and he just so happens to have a gift for them both: Bert's paper clip collection and Ernie's rubber ducky.
Through this thoughtful action, Mr. Hooper not only reunited his friends with their beloved possessions but also cemented the bond between his friends. At that moment, Bert & Ernie gained a better understanding of their friendship, how much they mean to each other, and how lucky they are to have each other and mutual friends like Mr. Hooper. After bidding Mr. Hooper a Merry Christmas and a fond farewell, Bert & Ernie sing one of the most beautiful renditions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" you will ever hear. Incidentally, this is also the reason it is my favorite Holiday song.
This minor subplot of the Sesame Street Holiday Special has spoken volumes to me about the true nature of the Holidays and the importance of human connection. While we may never live in a world as ideal as Sesame Street, it does not mean that we cannot live by the values and good-natured principles presented within. If two people are prepared to give up something they value to make someone they care about happy, even if for a mere moment, then maybe there is hope for humanity after all.
To put this all into a more modern context, stop whining about the non-existent "War on Christmas" and just do something nice for a loved one, not because you think you should, but because you can. No one is forcing you to do or think anything because that's not what the Holidays are about. It's about taking the time to think about someone other than yourself. In other words, remember to always have empathy, even when it may be difficult.
If you'd like to watch Christmas Eve on Sesame Street for yourself, you can find it on YouTube. The link is provided down below.
However you choose to celebrate the holidays, I wish you all a wonderful time, lovely company, and lots of delicious food. May you surround yourself with loved ones and thoughtful gifts. Here's to a better new year.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas for your and all of your Family dude :)
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you this year.