"Selfish Isn't Elfish"

I'm very pleased to present an animated version of "The Christmas Elf".

Please, SHARE with friends, children and all who love the spirit of Christmas!

A selfish elf learns to give to others.

Santa, reindeer, Christmas elves, and surprises at the North Pole!

Merry Christmas to you, Ara.

The Christmas Elf
by
Ara Eissler



The Christmas Elf is a merry little elf
Full of magical industry
Making gifts for others
He never sleeps
The Christmas Elf has a wealth
Of generosity
When he gives to others
It makes him so happy

There once was an elf at the North Pole
A grumpy little elf who complained of the cold
Who didn't care about all the girls and boys.

He only cared about himself
Didn't want to help anybody else
Didn't want to make gifts and toys.

He liked to lay around all day
Say, "There's nothing to do, nothing to play"
When Santa asked for help he said, "Go away."

Why the grumpy little elf even complained
About dinner vegetables Santa made
The other elves said, "There's got to be a change".

Selfish isn't elfish
Thats what the grumpy elf had to learn
If he could be unselfish
Then he could return

So they assigned him to reindeer duty
He'd work by himself if he's going to be moody
And he went to live alone in an igloo

No elves to talk to, no presents to make
He slammed the buckets, kept the deer awake
He yelled at the blizzards to no avail

One day out of a big snow storm
A hungry polar bear did roam
And the grumpy elf was mad at him too.

And he fought him and he chased him without any fear
He shouted, "Don't come back, these are my reindeer!"
Then he put his hand to his heart, there was something there!

Why he felt good inside! Some care! Some pride!
He had done something for others this time
He had given of himself and it made him smile!

With renewed vigor he turned to the barn
"Lets see about making these deer warm
And maybe they'd like some apples with their corn."

Selfish isn't elfish
Thats what the grumpy elf had to learn
If he could be unselfish
Then he could return

The elves noticed his generosity
And invited him back into the factory
Where the elves do their secret assembly

They bring in snow by the sled load
And this is what they use to mold
Every gift and present they concieve.

To each new load of snow elves rush
With talented hands the crystals they crush
And shape and sculpt each wonderful new thing.

Brushes go "swish", "tap" go the hammers
All around laughter and clatter and clamour
And, ohh, the bells, the BELLS! do ring

On the end of each elf's cap is hung
A magical Christmas bell and it's rung
To turn each snowy sculpture into real

Such a wonderful, joyful symphony
As the elves work and dance and sing
To the Christmas bells' magic jingling

The Christmas Elf is a merry little elf
Full of magical industry
Making gifts for others
He never sleeps
The Christmas Elf has a wealth
Of generosity
When he gives to others
It makes him so happy

Roger the Dromedary
          by
        Ara Eissler



One early Christmas Santa realized
His reindeer were having a very tough time.
They could handle the cold snow and rain
But delivering toys in the desert was a pain.

Reindeer are used to ice and sleet
Nice warm coats and sure on their feet.
He sent out his elves across the earth to seek
Someone to lead his sled in the sand and heat.

Tried an elephant but of course it couldn't fly
Tried a gazelle but its horns poked him in the eye
Tried a cheetah that was a bad idea
No one was laughing when they tried the hyena

Tried a hippo it was just too big
Tried an anteater it just wanted to dig
Tried a rhinocerous it was just too scary
All that was left was Roger the dromedary

Roger, Roger the dromedary
From Arizona to the Sahara
Leading Santas caravan makes a camel so merry
Roger, Roger the dromedary!


A dromedary named Roger pulls Santa's sled
When he crosses the deserts of Egypt.
He pulls the sled where its hot and dry
All around the world in equatorial climes.

He goes kind of slow with a measured pace
Chews his cud with an unconcerned look on his face
With one big hump he spits and is hairy
Santa's desert helper is a dromedary.

Tried an elephant but of course it couldn't fly
Tried a gazelle but its horns poked him in the eye
Tried a cheetah that was a bad idea
No one was laughing when they tried the hyena

Tried a hippo it was just too big
Tried an anteater it just wanted to dig
Tried a rhinocerous it was just too scary
All that was left was Roger the dromedary

Roger, Roger the dromedary
From Arizona to the Sahara
Leading Santas caravan makes a camel so merry
Roger, Roger the dromedary!

Santa's Stuck  by   Ara Eissler

Woke up Christmas morning went down the stairs
Didn't want to wake no one, just see if our presents were there
But when we arrived we couldn't believe our eyes
The stockings were still empty then we heard a muffled cry

I looked at my brother, he looked at me
We both wondered what that sound could be
I went to the chimney, peered up inside
Thats when I got my biggest ever Christmas surprise

Santa Claus is stuck, Santa Claus is stuck
Inside our fireplace
We'd better get him out, he's got more presents to give out
And it's getting late

Momma, Daddy come downstairs, quick there's something wrong
Santa's gotten stuck, I don't know for how long
What can we do, I was worried he'd get trapped
If he hadn't eaten all those cookies he wouldn't be wedged in like that

Momma said to reach inside, grab hold of a sleeve
And together on three we all gave a mighty heave
I could tell it was working, Santa started to budge
With a final pull he landed right on the Christmas fudge

Santa Claus is stuck, Santa Claus is stuck
Inside our fireplace
We'd better get him out, he's got more presents to give out
And it's getting late

He shook himself off and took a deep breath
Rubbed the back of his neck and stretched out the cramps
Then he took our hands, gave the piano a glance
The music started playing and we started to dance

Santa Claus is stuck, Santa Claus is stuck
Inside our fireplace
We'd better get him out, he's got more presents to give out
And it's getting late



Christmas Afternoon   by   Ara Eissler

The guys are on the couch watching a ball game
Ladies in the kitchen preparing the feast
The kids in the yard making a snow man
Sister in her chair with a new book to read

Lets sit by the fireplace
Listen to the crackle of the wood
Family joins together
On a Christmas afternoon

Gathered up by the hearth
Feeling the Cheerful warmth
We'll go our own ways soon
Together Christmas afternoon

Now the game's over Dad brings in some wood
Everything's in the oven just has to cook
Cold wet mittens are hung on the hook
Sister finishes a chapter of her book

Lets sit by the fireplace
Listen to the crackle of the wood
Family joins together
On a Christmas afternoon

Gathered up by the hearth
Feeling the Cheerful warmth
We'll go our own ways soon
Together Christmas afternoon

Do you remember when Grandpa forgot to open the flue
or the year Dad thought the turkey should be Barbequed
How 'bout when Momma set the plum pudding on fire,
Too much brandy nearly blew it to the roof

Lets sit by the fireplace
Listen to the crackle of the wood
Family joins together
On a Christmas afternoon

Gathered up by the hearth
Feeling the Cheerful warmth
We'll go our own ways soon
Together Christmas afternoon



That Tree   by  Ara Eissler

When I was just a boy my brother and I went out into the woods
Looking for a Christmas tree with a pocket saw and a pair of gloves
We felled a spindly thing carried that cedar into the house
Set it by the mantlepiece, Momma said this is what I think

As long as we hang the ornaments that tree will be fine
As long as we put the star on top, for it to shine
As long as we gather round and sing Silent Night
That tree will be fine, that tree will be fine

Some Christmas seasons find you down on your luck
Almost didn't make it down to that muddy lot
Only trees left were those no one wanted to buy
Bargained for a lonely one with the evergreen guy

That tree was real crooked, had to lean it to the right
Turn it just so, hide the empty patch in the side
Losing needles need to give it a quick drink
Took it home on top of the car, Momma said this is what I think

As long as we hang the ornaments that tree will be fine
As long as we put the star on top, for it to shine
As long as we gather round and sing Silent Night
That tree will be fine, that tree will be fine

Got married, starting out, new job, new home
Not much for extras, thankful for the things we have though
No room in the apartment for a tree to go
Just a few chairs facing a small window

Got a plastic tree from the dollor store
Spread the wire branches, all of three feet from the floor
Put it on the window sill right next to the sink
Momma said, this is what I think

As long as we hang the ornaments that tree will be fine
As long as we put the star on top, for it to shine
As long as we gather round and sing Silent Night
That tree will be fine, that tree will be fine




The Inn Door by Ara Eissler

It's Christmas time
It's time to share the light
Peace and Joy are born!

Let's unite
Under a star that's bright
That leads the way to the door!

Where anyone can enter
Find shelter and warmth
In the simplest love
A miracle is born!

The miracle of love, for all humankind
Isn't priviledged for those few who read between the lines
Spirit and love transcend to the Lord
Do you practice what he teaches?
Do you open your "Inn Door"?

It's Christmas time
It's time to share the light
Peace and Joy are born!

Let's unite
Under a star that's bright
That leads the way to the door!

Where anyone can enter
Find shelter and warmth
In the simplest love
A miracle is born!

The miracle of love, for all humankind
Is in common spaces between the lines
Spirit and love is what He's asking for
Do you practice what he teaches?
Do you open your "Inn Door"?



Joseph's Song by Ara Eissler

Snowy morning
Light breaks through the doorway
Warmth of a new breath
On the air

She looks my way

It won't be easy
We've a long way home
It's just the beginning
Already asking how

For some reason
You've entrusted me
With the most precious
Gift

I'm not ready


Open the door
Light shines upon his face
Take a step toward Gallilee

She looks my way