A Claymation Christmas Celebration

Herb:
Now that, I like! Let's wassail!

Herb:
Cheer up, Rex!

Rex:
It's wassail, I know it's wassail. [he hears elves singing "Here We Come A-Wassailing", this time the "wassail" is correct] That's it! Somebody's got it right!

Rex:
[after the "Carol of the Bells" segment] Magnificent! Now, who was that conductor again?

Herb:
I don't know, but his face sure rings a bell.

Rex:
Thematically speaking, we will be looking at Christmas carols as they relate to specific traditions...

Herb:
Yeah! Songs about Christmas trees, and stacks of gifts, reindeer, and jingling bells, holiday ballet, Santa Claus, universal joy, and Christ - mas snacks!

Rex:
[gritting his teeth] There is not a carol about snacks.

Herb:
Besides, Rex, maybe "wassail" is an old word that means "waffle". After all, what can be more Christmassy than a thick stack of syrup-drenched waffles?

Rex:
As usual, Herb, there you go letting history take a back seat to your stomach.

Rex:
The ringing of the bells at Christmastime is a homeowner of early winter celebrations when the earth was cold and the sun was dying; evil spirits were very powerful.

Herb:
And one of the ways to drive evil off...

[rings bell]

Herb:
was by making a great deal of noise.

[rings his bell again]

Herb:
As making noise was also fun, bell-ringing ceremonies became a part of the spirit of Christmas.

[rings his bell once more]

Rex:
Uh, next on our program is the exquisite Carol of the Bells.

Herb:
[rings bell] This isn't driving you off!

Rex:
Grrr...

Herb:
[reading a dictionary] Says here that wassail is derived from the Celtic word for lamb's wool. Must be an old sheep-sheering song!

Rex:
It's not a sheep-sheering song, you bone head! Wassail comes from the Anglo-Saxon "wassail", which means be in health.

Herb:
Oh, what I'd give to ice skate with that Margot!

Rex:
There's no ice thick enough for the two of you.

Rex:
Herb, haven't you had enough Christmas goodies?

Herb:
I told you there was a song about snacks.

Rex:
Say good night, Herb.

Herb:
Good night, Herb.