♪ come on, everybody ♪ come on, sing joy ♪ joy to the world ♪ joy ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ joy to the world ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ joy, hey ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world [announcer] welcome to the spirit of christmas, celebrating the music and majesty of the holiday season, with special performances by natalie cole, al jarreau, brian mcknight, lakisha jones, james ingram, the l.a. gospel choir, christopher and kyle massey, jeffrey osborne.

join us for the songs and splendor of the most wonderful time of the year, as we celebrate the spirit of christmas. ♪ sing joy, joy to the world ♪ ♪ joy to the world one of the great things about this song is it's almost like a little, uh, repartee that i'm having with the reindeer, if you believe that. it's really a fun, fun song. and i never have heard an arrangement quite like this. so "jingle bells" is just, you know, traditional, um, perfect for christmastime, but this is a great arrangement. okay, it's roll call time, everyone. dasher, dancer, prancer, and vixen, and come on comet and cupid and donner and blitzen. and where's rudolph? rudolph! ♪ dashing through the snow

♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ o'er the fields we go ♪ laughing all the way ♪ bells on bob tail ring ♪ making spirits bright ♪ what fun it is to laugh and sing ♪ ♪ a sleighing song tonight ♪ oh, jingle bells ♪ jingle bells, jingle all the way ♪ ♪ oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ hey ♪ jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ ♪ jingle all the way ♪ oh, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ okay, guys, calm down. [neighing] ♪ a day or two ago ♪ i thought i'd take a ride ♪ soon my mr. right ♪ was right here by my side ♪

♪ the horse was lean and lank ♪ ♪ a misfortune seemed our luck ♪ ♪ we got into a drifting bank ♪ ♪ and then we kissed for luck ♪ ♪ oh-ohh-oh, jingle bells ♪ ♪ jingle bells, jingle all the way ♪ ♪ oh, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ hey ♪ jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ ♪ jingle, jingle all the way ♪ ♪ oh, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ [jazzy "jingle bells"] ♪ jingle, jingle ♪ oh, jingle, jingle, jingle ♪ ♪ hey, jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ jingle, jingle all the way ♪ ♪ oh, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ ♪ hey ♪ jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ ♪ jingle, jingle all the way ♪ ♪ oh-whoa, what fun it is to ride ♪ ♪ in a one-horse open sleigh ♪ [chorus] ♪ jingle, jingle, jingle, jingle, jingle ♪ ♪ whoo, jingle, jingle, jingle ♪ ♪ [scatting] ♪ one ♪ horse ♪ open ♪ sleigh i'm talkin' about jingle bells, honey.

"i'll be home for christmas" is one of those songs that when you hear it, at least for me, because i don't spend that much time at home, as much time as i would like to-- the holidays is that time when i shut everything down and i really want for my entire family to be together. you know, the one place where you really want to be, especially at the most wonderful time of the year-- it's not so wonderful when you're not home, but at least we have this song to sort of remind us of-- of-- if we could be, that we would be sharing that special time of the year with the people that we love the most. ♪ i'll be home for christmas ♪ [applause, cheering] ♪ you ♪ can count on me

♪ please have snow ♪ and mistletoe ♪ and presents ♪ under ♪ the tree ♪ christmas eve will find me ♪ ♪ where ♪ the lovelight gleams ♪ i'll be home ♪ for christmas ♪ if only ♪ in my dreams ♪ [jazzy "i'll be home for christmas"]

♪ christmas eve ♪ will find me ♪ where ♪ the lovelight gleams ♪ i'll be home ♪ for christmas ♪ if only in my ♪ only in my ♪ only in my ♪ dreams

♪ in my dreams [applause, cheering] thank you. "just a little snow" is an original christmas song that i wrote, and, uh, i was born and raised in providence, rhode island, so i'm used to having white christmases. and then i moved here in, like, 1970 and '71, and it was so weird to me. it was, like, 95 degrees at christmastime. and i just couldn't get in the spirit of christmas. ♪ seasons greetings, everyone ♪

♪ california's kinda warm ♪ i know ♪ still the spirit's on the loose ♪ ♪ hang the lights up on the roof ♪ ♪ christmas will be christmas ♪ ♪ even though ♪ i just wish we had a little snow ♪ [child] just a little snow. [children] ♪ la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ merry christmas, everyone ♪ ♪ sunny cal is merry ♪ and it's bright ♪ still there's something missing here ♪ ♪ frosty never will appear ♪ christmas will be christmas ♪ ♪ even though ♪ i could use a tiny bit of snow ♪

[child] just a tiny bit of snow. [children] ♪ la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ if i had a wish ♪ i would wish for this ♪ just to have a snowman at my door ♪ ♪ 'cause what the season needs ♪ ♪ is 32 degrees ♪ and snowflakes fallin' free ♪ ♪ seems more like christmas ♪ christmas eve is on its way ♪ ♪ rudolph, when you guide his sleigh ♪ ♪ tonight ♪ tell old santa that it's warm ♪ ♪ turn the air conditioning on ♪ ♪ bring some toys for girls and boys ♪ ♪ you know ♪ oh, i don't really need a lot ♪ [children] ♪ tell me what you really want ♪ ♪ all i want for christmas is ♪

♪ some snow ♪ la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ some snow ♪ a little bit of ♪ a tiny bit of ♪ a little bit of ♪ la la la la la la la ♪ ♪ some snow ♪ i could use a little snow ♪ ♪ la la la la la la la ♪ thank you. thank you. when we return, seven-time grammy winner al jarreau feels the spirit of christmas with a yuletide stroll.

♪ we're walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪ plus james ingram, coming up on...

. ♪ [smooth jazz] oh, yeah. uh. ♪ walkin' ♪ you know i been walkin' ♪ in a wonder, wonderland ♪ walkin' in a winter ♪ sleigh bells ring ♪ are ya listenin'? ♪ in the lane ♪ snow is glistenin' ♪ a beautiful sight ♪ we're happy tonight ♪ we're walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ gone away ♪ is the bluebird ♪ here, here to stay

♪ is a new bird ♪ sings a love song ♪ as we go along ♪ we're walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ and what a wonderland ♪ i been walkin', be walkin' ♪ ♪ and what a wonderland ♪ winter wonderland ♪ walkin' in a... ♪ in a winter ♪ in the meadow, we can build a snowman ♪ ♪ and pretend that he is parson brown ♪ ♪ he'll say, are you married? ♪ ♪ we'll say, no, man ♪ but you can do the job while you're in town ♪ ♪ later on ♪ we'll conspire ♪ as we dream ♪ by the fire ♪ to face unafraid ♪ the plans that we made

♪ walkin' in a winter ♪ walkin' ♪ holdin' hands ♪ walkin' ♪ winter wonderland ♪ you gonna be walkin' ♪ in a winter wonderland, a wonderland, yeah ♪ ♪ ain't it grand? ♪ yeah ♪ we're walkin' ♪ in a winter wonderland ♪ hold my hand, that's right ♪ ♪ winter wonderland ♪ and we're walkin', walkin', we're walkin' ♪ ♪ in the meadow we can build a snowman ♪ ♪ and pretend that he's a circus clown ♪ ♪ we'll have lots of fun with mr. snowman ♪ ♪ till the other children knock him down ♪ ♪ now, when it snows

♪ ain't it thrillin' ♪ though your nose ♪ be so chillin'? ♪ we'll frolic and play ♪ the eskimo way ♪ when we're walkin' in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ in a wonderland ♪ hold my hand ha ha. ♪ ain't it grand? ♪ in a winter wonderland ♪ and what a wonderland ♪ we'll be walkin' ♪ what a wonderland, walkin'... ♪ "blessed assurance" is one of my favorite songs as i was growing up in church. we used to sing it in the choir. ♪ blessed assurance [applause, cheering] ♪ jesus is mine

♪ oh, what a foretaste ♪ of glory divine ♪ heir of salvation ♪ purchased of god ♪ born of his spirit ♪ washed in his blood ♪ this is my story ♪ this is my song ♪ praising my savior

♪ all the day long ♪ this is my story ♪ this is my song ♪ praising my savior ♪ all the day long ♪ [vocalizing] ♪ perfect submission ♪ perfect delight ♪ visions of rapture ♪ now burst on my sight

♪ angels descending ♪ bring from above ♪ echoes of mercy ♪ whispers of love ♪ this is my story ♪ this is my song ♪ praising my savior ♪ all the day long ♪ this is my story

♪ this is my song ♪ praising my savior ♪ praising the father in heaven ♪ ♪ whose son died for me ♪ praising my savior ♪ all the day long ♪ [vocalizing] ♪ oh-oh ♪ [vocalizing] [applause, cheering] thank you very much. god bless you. merry christmas. when we return,

the massey brothers rock the spirit of christmas. ♪ we rock this christmas plus an encore performance by brian mcknight and his special guests. and still to come, more from natalie cole when the spirit of christmas continues.

basically, when we wrote "can we rock this christmas"-- basically for the kids to really be excited about because, you know, we figured, okay, it's a christmas special, so everyone's going to kind of do, you know, like, the classical, you know, christmas songs, slow christmas song, that'll really get you in a christmas spirit. so we thought we, you know, switch it up a-- switch it up a bit and go 90 degrees the other way. ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ jolly old st. nick, and he's on the way ♪

♪ drop gifts, eat cookies, then it's back to the sleigh ♪ ♪ comin' your way in the middle of the night ♪ ♪ when you're sleepin' christmas eve ♪ ♪ when you're tucked in bed tight ♪ ♪ naughty or nice, christmas rockin' ♪ ♪ fillin' up your stockin' with multiple gamin' options ♪ ♪ see them toys stacked up, then you just scream ♪ ♪ all i want for christmas is the girl of my dreams ♪ ♪ christmas lights light up the tree ♪ ♪ with a star on top and gifts underneath ♪ ♪ hands down, the best time of the year ♪ ♪ so bring the holiday cheer right over here ♪ ♪ the whole family's chit chatting ♪ ♪ talkin' over dinner ♪ reminiscing kwanzaa stories of our last winter ♪ ♪ and i must say, it doesn't get better ♪ ♪ in my holiday sweater, ha, now that's better ♪ ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ santa claus is comin', but should we stay awake? ♪ ♪ no other way to see his face, that's the only way ♪ ♪ well, i've got a plan, let's fake sleep ♪ ♪ when he comes down the chimney ♪

♪ then we can sneak a peek ♪ well, that's a good idea, but what about the toys? ♪ ♪ if he sees us, he'll give our presents to other little boys ♪ ♪ that's a good point, let's just go back to sleep ♪ ♪ santa claus on his way with lots of goodies for me ♪ ♪ i left him some milk and some cookies and a letter ♪ ♪ i told him he's the best and there was nobody better ♪ ♪ 'cause he stops at every house in one night ♪ ♪ with rudolph leadin' the way because his nose is bright ♪ ♪ from the north to the south to the east to the west ♪ ♪ little kids scream "santa" ♪ ♪ 'cause they know that he's the best ♪ ♪ old jack frost ♪ he was chillin' in the loft ♪ ♪ with the gingerbread man ♪ screamin' "catch me if you can" ♪ ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ get some hot cocoa and hook up a bite ♪ ♪ two weeks off of work, so i'm feelin' all right ♪ ♪ give me a private plane and take me straight to hawaii ♪ ♪ fly the friends out, so we can have a party ♪ ♪ yeah, i got the girl, guys sayin' i'm in love ♪ ♪ underneath the mistletoe is nothin' but kisses and hugs ♪

♪ santa told me that i'm on the "nice" list ♪ ♪ stayin' up all night, wonderin' what i'm gonna get ♪ ♪ we used to go through the catalog, circlin' the pictures ♪ ♪ of all the things we wanted our mom to go and get us ♪ ♪ and then we used to beg and plead and throw a fit ♪ ♪ then we'd opened up the presents, we happy as we can get ♪ ♪ then we couldn't wait to show 'em all to our friends ♪ ♪ we both decided we hopin' the day would never end ♪ ♪ but it does anyway the more you tend to play ♪ ♪ play some reindeer games and rock the night away ♪ ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can ♪ can we rock this christmas? ♪ yes, we can how we feelin' tonight? [applause, cheering] oh, yeah! how we feelin' tonight? oh, yeah. oh, yeah. that's right. "little drummer boy" is-- i guess i like that because i-- i'm a drummer. i started off as a drummer in a group, ltd.

and then, you know, i've always sang, but i joined the group as a drummer and a singer. and that has a special attachment to it because i just like the rhythmic drums in the song. i love the meaning of the song. it's great, too. it's just a special meaning. ♪ come, they told me ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ a newborn king to see ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ our finest gifts we bring ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ to lay before the king ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ so, to honor him ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ when we come ♪ little baby

♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ i am a poor boy, too ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ i have no gift to bring ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ that's fit to give a king ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ shall i play for you? ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ on my drum ♪ mary nodded ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ the ox and lamb kept time ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ i played my drum for him ♪ pa rum pum pum pum

♪ i played my best for him ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ then he smiled at me ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ me and my drum ♪ mary nodded ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ the ox and lamb kept time ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ i played my drum for him ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ i played my best for him ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ rum pum pum pum ♪ then he smiled at me ♪ pa rum pum pum pum ♪ me and my drum

♪ me and my drum ♪ me and my drum ♪ pum pum pum ♪ pum pum ♪ pum pum pum [mouthing words] [applause, cheering] thank you all so much, very much. this is indeed the spirit of christmas. and merry christmas to all of you. all right. when we return, american idol favorite lakisha jones with a song of the true christmas spirit. ♪ jesus all this and more, when we return to... take a good look into the eyes of a hungry child.

"the first noel" also is another song that i've chosen to sing tonight. and when i first heard it, i heard different people singing it. and then, i heard whitney houston sing it. and i love whitney houston. so i was like, "i think i can pull this off." so it's really a beautiful song. the way that she presents the song and everything. so, you know, i'm gonna give it my shot, put the lakisha spin on it. ♪ the first noel ♪ the angels did say ♪ was to certain poor shepherds ♪ ♪ in fields they lay ♪ in fields where they lay ♪ keeping their sheep ♪ on a cold winter's night ♪ that was so deep ♪ noel, noel

♪ noel, noel ♪ born is the king ♪ of israel ♪ they looked up ♪ and saw a star ♪ shining in the east ♪ beyond them far ♪ and to the earth ♪ it gave great light ♪ and continued on ♪ for day and night ♪ noel, noel ♪ noel, noel ♪ noel, noel ♪ noel, noel ♪ born is the king ♪ of israel ♪ jesus

♪ christ is ♪ born is the king ♪ of israel ♪ jesus christ ♪ is born ♪ hey ♪ noel, noel ♪ noel, noel ♪ born is the king ♪ of israel ♪ born is the king ♪ he died for you and me ♪ born is the king ♪ jesus christ, my lord ♪ hey ♪ born is the king ♪ jesus, my king

♪ my savior ♪ jesus, jesus ♪ jesus ♪ hey ♪ born is the king [applause, cheering] ♪ my king thank you. thank you very much. "let it snow" is one of my favorite christmas songs ever. there was a johnny mathis christmas record that i used to listen to when i was a kid, every year. it was a staple in our house. and he did this song-- sort of the version that we're doing has the sort of slow intro with the strings and then it sort of picks up. ♪ the snowman in the yard is frozen hard ♪ ♪ it's a sorry sight to see ♪ for if he had a brain ♪ he'd complain ♪ i'll bet he wishes ♪ he were me

[all] ♪ oh, the weather outside is frightful ♪ ♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪ ♪ and since we've no place to go ♪ ♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ ♪ no, it doesn't show signs of stopping ♪ ♪ and i've got some corn for popping ♪ ♪ the lights are turned way down low ♪ ♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ ♪ when we finally kiss good night ♪ ♪ how i hate going out in the storm ♪ ♪ but if you really hold me tight ♪ ♪ all the way home i'll be warm ♪ [all] ♪ oh, the fire is slowly dying ♪ ♪ and, my dear, we're still goodbying ♪ ♪ as long as you love me so

♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ ♪ oh, the fire is slowly dying ♪ ♪ and, my dear, we're still goodbying ♪ ♪ as long as you love me so ♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ ♪ let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ ♪ let it snow ♪ oh ♪ let it ♪ snow, oh ♪ let it snow

♪ let it snow [cheering, applause] when we return, natalie cole sings her father's most famous christmas song. ♪ many times, many ways ♪ merry christmas ...when the spirit of christmas continues.

"the christmas song" has a very special meaning to all of us, really, because it's not official until you hear dad's version of "the christmas song." ♪ chestnuts roasting on an open fire ♪ ♪ jack frost nipping at your nose ♪

♪ yuletide carols ♪ being sung by a choir ♪ and folks ♪ dressed up like eskimos ♪ everybody knows ♪ a turkey and some mistletoe ♪ ♪ help to make the season bright ♪ ♪ tiny tots ♪ with their eyes all aglow ♪ will find it hard ♪ to sleep tonight ♪ they know that santa's ♪ on his way ♪ he's loaded lots of toys and goodies ♪

♪ on his sleigh ♪ and every mother's child ♪ is gonna spy ♪ to see if reindeer ♪ really know how to fly ♪ and so ♪ i'm offering this simple phrase ♪ ♪ to kids from 1 to 92 ♪ although it's been said ♪ many times, many ways ♪ merry christmas ♪ to you ♪ [orchestra]

♪ and so i'm offering ♪ this simple phrase ♪ to kids from 1 to 92 ♪ although it's been said ♪ many times, many ways ♪ merry christmas ♪ have a merry christmas ♪ merry christmas ♪ to you

[applause, cheering] there's lots more to come, including a powerful performance by the l.a. gospel choir, when the spirit of christmas continues. take a good look into the eyes of a hungry child.

[woman] ♪ here i am ♪ halfway 'round the world ♪ still so much reminds me of home ♪ ♪ i hope it's all right ♪ i know it's late there tonight ♪ ♪ i just had to call to let you know ♪ ♪ even though there's an ocean ♪ ♪ between us ♪ you're with me in everything i do ♪

♪ even though we're apart [man] ♪ you're still in my heart ♪ [both] ♪ merry christmas ♪ i'm thinkin' of you ♪ merry christmas ♪ i'm thinkin' of you [cheering, applause] ♪ [electric piano] ♪ joy to the world ♪ the lord is come ♪ let earth ♪ receive ♪ her king ♪ let every heart ♪ prepare him room ♪ let heaven

♪ heaven and nature ♪ and nature ♪ nature sing everybody sing. ♪ joy to the world ♪ for the lord, the lord is come ♪ ♪ let earth ♪ let earth ♪ receive her king ♪ receive her king ♪ let every heart ♪ prepare him room ♪ let heaven and nature sing ♪ heaven and nature ♪ let heaven and nature sing ♪ heaven and nature ♪ let's tell of his glory ♪ tell of his glory ♪ go shout the new story ♪ shout the new story ♪ let earth, let, let ♪ let ♪ let heaven and nature ♪ heaven, joy ♪ joy to the world ♪ for the lord, the lord is come ♪ ♪ let earth ♪ let earth ♪ receive her king ♪ receive her king ♪ let every heart

♪ prepare him room, hey ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪ repeat ♪ the sounding ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪ go tell of his glory ♪ go tell of his glory ♪ go shout the new story ♪ go shout the story ♪ let earth, let, let ♪ let ♪ let heaven and nature ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ for the savior reigns ♪ and makes his blessings flow ♪ ♪ joyful all ye nations rise ♪ join the triumphs of the skies ♪ ♪ with angelic hosts proclaim ♪ ♪ glory to the king ♪ while the angels sing ♪ yeah ♪ joy to the world ♪ for the lord, the lord is come ♪ ♪ why don't you sing joy? ♪ let earth ♪ let earth

♪ receive her king ♪ receive ♪ while fields and floods ♪ rocks, hills, and plains ♪ go tell of his glory ♪ go tell of his glory ♪ go shout the new story ♪ go shout the new story ♪ let earth, let, let ♪ let ♪ let heaven and nature ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ sing joy, sing joy to the world ♪ ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ come on, everybody ♪ come on, sing joy ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ joy, joy to the world ♪ joy to the world ♪ joy, hey ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ sing peace, yeah ♪ joy to the world ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ come on ♪ sing joy ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ sing joy ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ sing joy ♪ sing joy to the world

♪ sing joy ♪ sing joy to the world ♪ sing joy ♪ sing joy ♪ joy to the world [cheering] closed-captioned by j.r. media services, inc. burbank, ca