Bob Newhart Show 1.14

His Busiest Season

Bob is having a tough Christmas. Maybe it's because he doesn't know how to handle the holidays. Maybe it's because everyone is going crazy over this holiday called Christmas. Maybe it's because he just can't win this Christmas season.

His wife is taking care of Christmas obligations, as they ponder over which type of gift basket people should receive from them. Bob feels like they should only give to people from whom they received. In addition, it doesn't feel like the way Christmas should be since they don't have little children or tons of people around.

That is when Bob gets the ultimate idea for a Christmas Eve party (starting immediately). He finds all the people from his office and hosts a party...the only thing is, Bob is a psychiatrist. His patients are in all different sorts, and Bob finds him self even more depressed than ever. He realizes that he has made a mistake and is actually hosting a bad party. The realization that it was a bad party, makes everyone realize taht they are having a good time being miserable.

In order to have a great Christmas, does that mean we have to be around people who make us miserable, that we are only willing to put up with? How often do I get sick of Christmas because people frustrate me, it takes too much out of my bank account, or I didn't get the "magic of Christmas" like I'd hoped?

Maybe if I accept that Christmas isn't all bubblegum and gumdrops, I will actually figure out what this whole season is all about. I've heard going to Luke 2 would help.

Boy Meets World 1.10

Santa's Little Helper

It is no secret that Christmas is the best holiday of the year. It is not an opinion, no one else has a different favorite holiday, Christmas trumps every other day. Unless you're Shawn Hunter. Or Morgan Matthews.


Mr. Feeney is reading from "A Christmas Carol," and all seems to be going well and bright. However, Shawn's dad lost his job and he is not looking forward to Christmas this year, despite the fact that he is talking so highly of all the presents he hopes to receive. Corey finds out about the misfortune of the Hunter clan, and selflessly decides to give one of his presents, a new basketball, to Shawn for Christmas. This further angers Shawn, as he does not want to be seen as a charity case, and confuses Corey. He doesn't understand why Shawn does not appreciate the gift he sacrificed. Feeney, in all of his wisdom, let's Corey in on the secret of charity: not expecting anything in return (even a thank you!).

Minkus, the class know-it-all and royal pain, is collecting money for Mr. Feeney's gift, demanding five dollars from everyone in the class. Shawn, who obviously can't afford it, passes up his opportunity to be put on the card. Corey uses this as an opportunity to do something for Shawn that does not require a reward. Claiming that he owed Shawn money, he pays Shawn's portion and gets his name on the card. Shawn has no idea until his name is read from the list by Mr. Feeney in his thanks for his special gift.

While I seemed to sympethize with Shawn, the real person I would like to focus on is Corey. How many times am I giving? Sure, I may think more of giving around Christmas time, but how often am I thinking of ways to give to those who care about me in appreciation for what they have done? Who do I know in a tough situation, who is being too prideful to ask for help? When I give, do I seek out a thank you, or am I satisfied that I gave?

Morgan is meanwhile dealing with the fact that a mall Santa has a heart attack and feels like it's her fault. She feels at her whit's end, until a special Santa (looking a whole lot like Mr. Feeney) comes and pays her a special visit.

I wish I had Mr. Feeney as a neighbor.