Christmas On Grandfather's Farm (1958)

[Music] new fallen snow a still wintry night a home with gleaming lights these things are part of Christmas today as they were yesterday let's go back to grandfather's house for Christmas A Christmas near the end of the last century Grandpa Bradford's place is a big comfortable Farmhouse with plenty of room for all the Bradfords Grandma Bradford has been busy for days preparing for the family reunion seems like there's no end of cooking and baking to be done for Christmas dinner [Music] tomorrow Grandma's eldest daughter Alice does the more creative work in the family like making ornaments for the Christmas tree oldfashioned ornaments for an oldfashioned Christmas today the kitchen is the center of activity but tomorrow The Parlor will ring with the shouts of Bradford grandchildren around the tree the family reunion has already begun John the youngest son arrived this afternoon from the city it was a long ride on the train almost 8 hours it's good to be home in the midst of familiar sights and sounds that that'll hold you till morning I should think so now what about the Parlor Woods in the fireplace I light the fire first thing in the morning right after milk Alice like the freeze out there trimming that Christmas tree Alice yes did you find the store ornament yes I've got the candles and candle holders and everything I'll be finished with the tree pretty [Music] soon family and home and Christmas Eve a time for sharing love a time for being together tomorrow the rest of the Bradford children and grandchildren will come but now comes the quiet time before the big day no Christmas Eve would be complete without Grandpa reading the Bible account of the first [Music] Christmas and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night and lo the angel of the Lord Came Upon them and the glory of the Lord Shone round about them and they were sore afraid and the angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is Born This Day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the lord and there shall be a sign unto you he shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace Good Will toward men Christmas morning and as usual Good Old Major pulls Dave Bradford and his young family to the Bradford Farm where Dave was born they are the last to arrive the others are already inside and waiting the Seven Mile ride has been cold for Mary Bradford but it's been fun for the youngsters that's Susan the [Music] youngest Priscilla is well bundled up Joshua is the oldest of Dave [Music] children so the reunion is on the shelbies are here Aunt Jane and Uncle Clen and now aunts and uncles and cousins can all get reacquainted Jane Shelby and Mary Bradford haven't seen each other for months there's so many things to talk [Music] about well I wonder what's keeping P yes and that husband of mine shall I go out in the barn and see Grandma oh no Josh I expect he's just showing your father some of his new harness Josh how would you like to ask Grandma for a cookie oh yes of course course right there in that BR jar Josh and take a few extra with you for Priscilla and Peter and the rest well here we are hello Joshua Grandpa hello father did you take care of major all right yes he's been stabled and fed you're sure to love that old horse don't you I suppose you'd like to have one of your own someday that would be some is that Grandpa come on we're waiting for you can you pass out the presents now can you certainly can Priscilla my little girl light the tree light the tree and now oldfashioned candle light for an oldfashioned [Music] Christmas they'll enjoy it while they can for the candles will not be allowed to burn too long and where is the child who has not loved this moment at Christmas time why the tree is almost as exciting as the gifts themselves grandfathers are pretty popular in most families and Grandpa Bradford is no exception the family wouldn't think of exchanging the gifts themselves grandpa has to pass out each one that's part of Christmas at the farm and who can say which is the happier the receiver or The Giver [Music] a fountain pin one of those new ones that carries its own ink now what do you suppose Priscilla wants most of [Music] all will their little girl like it toys and Christmas go together the porcelain doll came from a city far away but not all the gifts come from stores many were made at home knitting a pair of mittens for a nephew can bring a wonderful reward a tablecloth crocheted with loving care makes it more precious somehow and what will it be for the youngest child what is Susan hoping for of course a teddy bear for Grandma a shawl to keep and treasure these are gifts that carry with them a family's love some gifts bring with them a part of the world Beyond this house that's one of the wonders of the age a phonograph came all the way from Chicago this will mean music and song for the whole family hours of pleasure in the quiet evenings this will be pleasure too a sled for Peter straight from Grandpa's Workshop and for joshh something very dear to his heart a book about a horse black beauty and he is a beauty what a wonderful morning it's been giving sharing being together Dave Dave uh yes Paul it's getting a little chilly in here don't you think youd better go out and get that d log for the fire yes I I'll get it right away well I guess that's all the presents that is almost all there is one more present that was too big to put under the tree you all know that Josh had a birthday last month now that he's 10 years old he's old enough to have this something it's it is a sort of a combined birthday and Christmas gift of course when Peter's 10 years old I aim to give him the same thing Josh go to the window [Music] [Applause] now a cold a cold God it seems that once in every child's life comes the time when he gets the one gift he Treasures above all others and for Josh this is the [Music] one well he sure was a happy boy yes and there will be no living with Peter now until he's old enough to have a clo well now maybe we can get this dinner finished Alice would you go out and py and get that picture of cream and Mary would you please cut those ties all the go [Music] and So a family gathers for Christmas dinner but more than that a home is filled with warmth and love and Good Will I believe we're ready now P our heavenly father for these gifts we are about to receive we thank thee we ask thy blessing upon this house and upon these thy servants gather together through thy bounous guidance and love amen gathered together for Christmas three generations are a happy [Music] family parents who have worked to make their dreams come true and children who brighten the lives of all this was Christmas yesterday when life on grandfather's Farm was a little slower perhaps a little gentler a life we call oldfashioned life that was part of an oldfashioned American Christmas [Music]