You know I started my career in politics in 1967. I'm not new to this. I did not just fall off the Christmas tree. I understand the world is complex. I know that there are people out there who want to hurt other people.

Music is my thing. It's my thing it's what I love. It's what I do. It's football to me it's Christmas to me religion to me poetry to me.

I love Christmas. Frosty the Snowman peace on Earth and mangers Salvation Army bell ringers and reindeer the movie 'Meet Me in St. Louis ' office parties and cookies.

Christmas is not a time nor a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill to be plenteous in mercy is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

The earth has grown old with its burden of care but at Christmas it always is young the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair and its soul full of music breaks the air when the song of angels is sung.

For me growing up Christmas time was always the most fantastic exciting time of year and you'd stay up until three in the morning. You'd hear the parents wrapping in the other room but you knew that also maybe they were in collusion with Santa Claus.

I got up one Christmas morning and we didn't have nothing to eat. We didn't have an apple we didn't have an orange we didn't have a cake we didn't have nothing.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where I woke up Christmas morning and had toys. I know that's not the case with all people and I don't think kids should go without experiencing that sort of joy.

The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school.

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.