It’s Christmas already and the aroma of succulent food is in the air.

Red and green colors flash through my mind as I listen to “giddy up, giddy up go” in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” and I delight in Grinch returning all the stolen toys to “Whoville.”

Yes, it is the music, colors and narrations of Christmas that inspire all of us this time of the year.

I find myself nostalgically tuning to those old TV shows from my youth. I bet you watch them too. I did not know there were so many of these shows until just the other night I set up and watched several hours of them.

I like to hear the voices of some of my former favorite comedians and singers used in these shows. How can you forget Burl Ives singing, “…Have a Merry, Merry Christmas…” in the Rudolph Show? Or, better yet, enjoy his singing the full “Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer” tune, which was sung initially by Gene Autry. A real cutie show caught on several years ago based on a song of the same name, “Grandmother Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Even the contemporary presentation “Polar Express” found a favorite place in this repertoire of specials. Don’t ever forget how all kids are entranced by the hit special “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

And, Jimmy Durante’s memorable narration stirs me as he keeps Frosty from melting.

Of course, those old real movie favorites like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas,” “Scrooge,” “It Happened on 5th Avenue” and “The Nutcracker” always round out the Christmas season.

That close harmony vocal quartet of Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney singing “SNOW, SNOW, SNOW” from “White Christmas” delights me to no end. That movie also depicted a memorable Army reunion, where “the Old Man” (commanding officer) was remembered following World War II.

An interesting quiz show the other night asked the question, “Just how many Christmas songs have ever been recorded?” Well no one knew the answer because it is almost impossible to count them all, especially when you include the Christmas songs of faith.

Speaking of songs of faith. I heard and watched a local Church Cantata Sunday. And I must give praise to that excellent choir which presented it.

It was a most difficult arrangement, so many sharps and flats. Even the Fred Warring Chorus or the Longine Whittnauer Caroleers would have had difficulty presenting this musical. But our choir, including all the soloists, did a remarkable job with the entire presentation.

Well, I won’t write a lengthy column this week as our fine Advance staff needs the space for so many nice Christmas ads.

So here is wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas as we look forward to another valiant year. I will be entering my 10th year in 2017 writing these columns for the Advance and I sure do hope you will continue reading them.

Contact Lowell at exam@frontiernet.net.