As we approach the Yuletide season, we are requesting that our readers send us Christmas greetings, through song, story, or verse that is important to you. I will begin this seasonal gathering of messages of hope and mirth with one of my personal favorites - "Merry Christmas from the Family" by Robert Earl Keen.

    Here below is Country Crooner Keen's profound message of family and seasonal frivolity ... with an emphasis, of course, on frivolity. Below Mr. Keen's Christmas Carol is the lyrics of his finve melody and verse. Please enjoy.

Merry Christmas From The Family

by Robert Earl Keen

   Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party
    We were drinking champagne punch and homemade eggnog
    Little sister brought her new boyfriend
    He was a Mexican
    We didn't know what to think of him until he sang
    Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad

    Brother Ken brought his kids with him
   The three from his first wife Lynn
   And the two identical twins from his second wife Mary Nell
   Of course he brought his new wife Kay
   Who talks all about A .. A
   Chain smoking while the stereo plays Noel, Noel
   The First Noel

   Carve the Turkey
   Turn the ball game on
   It's margaritas when the eggnog's gone
   Send somebody to the Quickpak Store
   We need some ice and an extension chord
   A can of bean dip and some Diet Rites
   A box of Pampers, Marlboro Lights
   Halelluja everybody say cheese
   Merry Christmas from the family

   Fred and Rita drove from Harlingen
   I can't remember how I'm kin to them
   But when they tried to plug their motor home in
   They blew our Christmas lights
   Cousin David knew just what went wrong
   So we all waited out on our front lawn
   He threw the breaker and the lights came on
   And we sang Silent Night, Silent Night, Oh Holy Night

   Carve the turkey turn the ball game on
   It's Bloody Marys
   Cause We All Want One!
   Send somebody to the Stop 'N Go
   We need some celery and a can of fake snow
   A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites
   A box of Tampons, some Salem Lights
   Halelluja, everybody say cheese
   Merry Christmas from the Family

   Feliz Navidad!