All language subtitles for JAG S09E11 A Merry Little Christmas 1080p AMZN WEB-DL DDP2 0 H 264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

HARM:
All right, let's go over it
one last time.

I don't chew gum
or spit on the courtroom floor.

-Call the judge "Your Honor".
-Good. What else?

I answer all questions directly.

I don't volunteer more
information than is asked for.

-And?
-And I speak from the heart,

and I tell them why
I want you to be my guardian.

Excellent. Just keep it simple.

So, what do I tell the judge?

You fly a Stearman good,

and instead of Mrs. Del Mucci's
bean casserole,

you let me eat pizza
seven days a week?

Oh, yeah, well,
that'll convince em'.

-You own a dress?
-No.

Well, you're going
to have to get one.

Whatever spare cash I have goes
into the business.

It's my treat.

Why, so I can pretend
to be someone I'm not?

It shows respect for the court
and for yourself.

Now you sound like my mom.

Well, I would've liked
your mother.

You're a lot like her...
inside.

Matilda Grace?

That's me.

I'm Harry Clark.

You haven't returned
my phone calls

or answered my
registered letters.

-I've been busy.
-Well, that's no excuse.

Maybe you'd like
to change your tone.

And who are you?

I'm a former employee.

Are you looking for a job,

because I take
possession of this
hangar in two days.

I want all this
crap moved out of
here by that time.

Whatever's left will
be sold or thrown away.

[ theme music playing ]

MATTIE:
I had a few problems
with the business.

HARM:
Why didn't you tell me?

So you'd think I
was a screw-up?

So I could help.

I do things my way, Harm,

for better or worse.

You're 14, Mattie.

Fifteen.

You had a birthday?

Yeah.

When?

You could've told me.

Why?
Gee, I don't know.

Cake, presents, you know,
the usual.

Hugs all around?

I'm not big into birthdays.

Besides, what if you told
the whole world

it was your birthday,
and you threw a big party,

and nobody came?

Wow, Mattie, you've
got to start having

a little more
faith in people.

Well, people suck.

They always let you down,

except for maybe you,

and I'm still not sure
about that.

You're not going to
be trouble, are you?

Nothing you can't handle.

Look, why don't you
take me through this

from the beginning?

When I hired you, I was
this close to closing up shop.

Then winter came.

No more crops to dust.

Just a little brush clearing.

I asked the bank for a break
on the hangar payments.

I didn't get any.

My dad had taken out
the loan.

The bank found out
I was running the business,

so they sold it at auction.

What about the house?

Still mine.

You own it outright?

Bank's got a note.

I can't lose this house, Harm.

It's all I've got left
of my mom,

and she gave it to me.

We'll find a way
to make the payments.

How old is this pizza, anyway?

Which topping?

Uh, meatball
was last Monday.

Anchovies were last week
sometime.

My God.

Look, Mattie, get
your jacket on.

-Where are we going?
-We're going to get
something decent to eat,

and then we'll talk
about the house.

MATTIE: Yes, sir.

No, I understand, sir.

There was nothing you could do.

I understand. Thank you, sir.

You okay?

No.

Varese Chestnut is playing

the Silver Legacy Resort
and Casino in Reno,

and she's snowed in.
I need her in D.C. tomorrow,

because she has to fly
out to Baghdad in two days.

Marine Corps Mountain
Warfare Training Center
is in Pickle Meadow.

That's close to Reno.
They can get her out.

Thank you, ma'am.

-Morning, Sturgis.
-Good morning.

Oh, hey, Bud
told me that your
father's performing

the Christmas Eve
ceremony again this year.

He is. The Admiral
invited him.

There's bad news, Admiral.

I just got off the phone
with Worldwide Parcel service.

One of their delivery trucks
caught on fire while traversing

the autostrada
between Rome and Bologna.

Meredith's present.

Burnt to a cinder, sir.

Worldwide will forward you
a check

for the full
replacement amount.

I don't want
some damned check.

I want Meredith to open my gift
on Christmas day.

Perhaps you can call her, sir,
and-and tell her what it was.

It's too difficult to describe
something that personal.

I'm sorry, sir.
I didn't mean to...

Coates,
it's a customized P-D-A

with language aids,
currency converter,

highway maps of Italy,

street maps of Bologna
with historical sites...

An excellent gift, sir.

But you...?

Disapprove, sir?

No, sir. I have no opinion.

Do you... do you think
the gift is, uh...?

Impersonal, sir?

I think a lot of women
would find it useful, sir.

Useful... like a toaster,
or an iron,

or sewing machine?

In that ballpark, sir.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Sir, perhaps I can help?

There you are.

What took you so long?

Baby-sitter was late again.

That's twice this week.

Well, at least we won't
have that USO thing
to worry about anymore.

Harriet?

General Tillman wants
me to wrangle talent

for the Christmas show.

Harriet, I know...

Bud, other than
raising our kids,

this is most
important thing I
have ever, ever done,

and I would really like
your full support on this.

COATES:
Sir, Chaplan Turner's here
to see you.

Oh, send him in.

Right this way, sir.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, Admiral.

A.J. to my friends.

Well, Matthew to mine.

[ chuckles]
Have a seat.

Oh, thank you.

Looking forward
to the sermon.

You asked me in to, uh,
give you a preview?

No, no.

Is this about my son?

No, I'm getting married.

Sturgis told me. Said you made
an excellent choice.

Congratulations.

Thank you. I'd like
for you to perform
the ceremony.

It'd be a pleasure, A.J.
Just tell me when and where.

May 14th, Naval
Academy Chapel.

You must have friends
in high places.

Well, not as
high as yours.

When last I was at JAG,

seemed to me
my son was struggling.

He'd hit a bit
of a rough patch.

Is he out of that patch?

No.

He needs to stop
expecting perfection.

You know
the old Zito saying, uh,

"Demand it of yourself, and
you'll always be unsatisfied..."

Yeah, "Demand it of others, and
you'll always be disappointed."

What's a guardian ad-litem,
anyway?

Uh, they're appointed
by the court

to look into my suitability.

Why doesn't she just ask me?

She will.

-Good afternoon, Mattie.
-Ma'am.

Commander Rabb,
I'm Donna LeMoyne.

Pleasure to meet
you, Ms. LeMoyne.
Please come in.

Uh, the Commander and I
will need to talk in private.

Yes, ma'am.

Have a seat, please.

I will start with a
few simple questions.

Where will Mattie
be living?

Uh, with me.

Social Services will
need to schedule

a home inspection.

They will contact
you directly.

Understood.

Let's see...

What arrangements
have you made for
her schooling?

I'm still working on it.

I'll need to know before
the custody hearing.

Now, your pay
grade allows you

to assume the care
of a minor child?

I can take care of Mattie.

Your work take
you out of town?

Upon occasion.

-LEMOYNE:
Out of the country?
-Yes.

Well, what arrangements
have you made

for Mattie's care
when you're absent
from the home?

I'm still working
on that.

Is she mature enough
to be home by herself?

Well, she's lived alone here
for the last six months.

That's not really an answer
to my question, Commander.

Arrangements will be made,
Ms. LeMoyne.

I'll not leave Mattie alone.

So, you're still working
on that, also?

You can rest assured Mattie
will be well taken care of.

It's not your
assurances

I'm interested
in, Commander.

Have you ever
been married?
No.

-Do you have other children?
-No.

Do you have a
significant other?

No.

Are you gay?

No.

So, you have no
one in your life.

No.

I find that hard to believe.

Well, I'll tell you,
Ms. LeMoyne,

it confounds me at times, too.

Why do you want
custody of this child?

Somebody needs to take care
of this little girl, ma'am.

She has a biological father.

We looked for him.

There are
other relatives.

None that are
in a position

to take care of Mattie,
nor want to.

Uh, besides,
this is what she wants.

How long have you
known Ms. Grace?

-Awhile.
-Awhile.

How did you meet?

I worked for her.

Doing what?

Crop dusting.

She was a good boss.

Is this a whim,
Commander?

-No.
-Are you doing this out of pity?

I'm doing this
out of affection, ma'am.

It's acceptable if you say love.

Get back to me when you finish
making arrangements.

Social Services will call
to set up a home inspection.

Then I will need to speak

with someone close to you

who can vouch for
your suitability as a parent.

Good to meet you.

Merry Christmas.

[ door closes ]

CHAPLAIN TURNER:
Merry Christmas, Petty Officer.

Thank you, sir.
You, too.

Commander Turner's waiting
for you in his office.

Thank you.

Sir, do you have a moment?

These are the results
of my shopping trip.

The Hermes scarf matches
Dr. Cavanaugh's coloring.

I know she wears
Chanel Number Five.

As for the Portolano gloves,

Dr. Cavanaugh
and I are about the same size,

so I bought a pair that fit me.

And what woman wouldn't love
a Louis Vuitton wallet?

You know, this just
doesn't seem...

Like Dr. Cavanaugh, sir?

Too fancy?

-She's a...
-University professor.

I know, sir.
And a good one.

Which is why she's in Bologna

at the Shakespeare conference
and not here...

-Coates?
-Sir?

Let me finish
my sentences.

Yes, sir.

How did you know
about all this stuff?

These were items
I used to boost, sir,

during my delinquent years.

Don't worry. This time
I put them on my credit card.

Pretty much maxed it out.

After work, I want you
to return all this.

Go to an electronic store.
Order me a PDA.

Bill it directly to me.
It's against regulations

for you to use your credit card
on my behalf.

Sorry, sir.

What are you doing
for Christmas?

Working here with you, sir.

You have any family?

None that I care to see.

-Friends?
-Most of my...

old acquaintances
are in jail, sir. Or dead.

And, um, making new friends
isn't really a priority.

This is my life now.

CHAPLAIN TURNER:
By the way,
the Admiral asked me

to perform the ceremony
at his wedding.

Yeah? Well, you know
what they say, Dad.

Weddings are destiny,
and hanging likewise.

[ laughing]

[ elevator bell dings]

-CHAPLAIN TURNER:
Good morning.
-Good morning.

I'm looking
for Lieutenant Sims.

I can take you right
to her, Ms. Chestnut.

It'll be just
a minute, Dad?

I'll see you downstairs.

Great. Right this way.

So, how did you
know my name?

You're kidding.

Live at the Blue Note.

I know it by heart.

And what's your
favorite number?

Yeah, well, these days,
it's "Blame It On My Youth."

Or maybe, uh,
"Everything Happens to Me."

Lieutenant Harriet Sims.

-Sir?
-Varese Chestnut.

-So nice to meet you, ma'am.
-It's Varese.

And thank you for getting
me out of the snowdrifts.

I'd never ridden
in a Snowcat before.

No problem.

And by the way,

did you give this
gentleman my bio
and press kit?

No, ma'am.

So, he's an honest man?

Commander Turner?

Sometimes to a fault.

I'm playing at the One Step Down
tomorrow night.

And I'm leaving your name
at the door.

It would be such a real thrill
if my dad could come along.

Sure.

Another handsome man
in the audience never hurt.

It's what won my mother's heart.

Hmm.

See you tomorrow night.

Yeah.

Varese, I have
your itinerary right here.

You'll be leaving
out of Andrews Air Force Base
on a C-17.

Which is?

A military transport aircraft.

It's like a football field
with wings.

You'll have to be able
to carry your own luggage,

and seating's pretty primitive.

Is there a bathroom?

They'll roll a comfort palate
on board.

-It's a Porta-Potty.
-[ laughs]

This is worse
than summer camp.

Okay.

MAN:
I just wondered if
it was a good matchup.

MAN #2:
You got it.

[ piano playing and singing]

[ playing jazz on piano]

♪ Comes the time for parting ♪

♪ But let's be glad ♪

♪ For what we've had ♪

♪ And what's to come ♪

♪ There's so much
more embracing ♪

♪ Still to be done ♪

♪ But time is racing ♪

♪ Oh, well ♪

♪ We'll catch up ♪

♪ Some other time. ♪

[ applause and cheering]

You didn't have

to send your father
home in a cab.

That was his idea.

Oh.

So are you two close?

Yeah. Yeah, we are.

Until the last few months.

My father was
a preacher, too.

-Really?
-Mm-hmm.

So you know what it's like.

Yes. To have to
grow up to be perfect.

It wasn't just God's
eye on the sparrow.

Uh, you ever screw up?

Well, I didn't
do any jail time,

but, you know.

What did he say

about your falling short
of perfection?

Who, God or my father?

Your father.

[ laughs]
Well...

Oh.

Well, he waited
for the right time

to tell me about
his early troubles.

Sometime you should
ask your father

about the times
he fell from grace.

He never did, Varese.

"Soldier, scholar, horseman, he,
and all he did done perfectly.

As though he had
but that one trait alone."

William Butler Yeats
was thinking of my father

when he wrote that.

"I had a man for 15 years,
give him his room and board.

"Once he was like a Cadillac.

Now he's like an old
worn-out Ford."

Bessie Smith had
every man in mind

when she sang that.

No man is perfect, Sturgis.

And very few come close.

You know, maybe that's
why I love jazz.

Because you start out
with set notes,

but then you go
wherever you want,

and it's always different,
and it's never perfect.

Never meant to be.

It's always
in the process

of becoming.

I'm a good listener
if you want to talk.

I'm tired of talking, Varese.

I'm sick of myself.

You ever feel that way?

I really like who I am.

Good.

I'd like to talk about you.

You know everything

there is to know
about me, Sturgis.

It's all in my songs.

And you know
almost my whole...

Mm.

You always
go around

kissing women
you just met?

Been waiting
for someone like you

a long time, Varese.

I need you to vouch for me.

In love or war?

As a family man.

Hmm. Well,
when was the last time

you called your mother?

I-I don't remember.

So we've established
that you're a lousy son.

What kind of a parent
do you think I'd make?

Well, I did once agree
to your fathering my child,

if you remember.

Yeah, if neither of us
had someone in five years...

Mm. We're almost there.

Something's come up, Mac.

Another woman?

A child.

I'm petitioning the state
of Virginia

for the custody of a minor.

I need you to vouch for me
with the court.

How long have you known
you were going to do this?

A few months.

And this is the first
I'm hearing about it?

Hey, you moved on.

I-I I didn't think
you'd be interested.

Well, of all
the dumb things

that you have said to me
in eight years,

that is by far the dumbest.

You don't deny it?

[ sighs]

Mac, I don't want to argue
about us right now.

There is no us.

Well, yeah,
you made sure of that.

Well, you didn't fight me.

Look, there is a little girl

who needs someone
to watch over her.

So, you've decided

to take that
responsibility?

What, you got a problem
with that?

No, I have a problem
with you

cutting me
out of your life

until you
need something.

Forget about it.

It's too important
for you to screw up.

COATES:
I purchased the PDA, sir.

If you tell me how you
want it personalized,

I'll do my best to
see that it gets done.

Why don't, uh,
we go to, uh, Plan B.

I believe we've moved
on to Plan C, sir.

Well, whatever
plan it is, um...

Let me know what
your results are.

Aye, aye, sir.

MAN:
So far this
is what we have established.

Smoke detector,
sufficient heat,

adequate light, working
telephone, working toilet.

Do you primarily
survive on beer and tofu.

There's
other things in there.

Mostly I order
take out.

Do you have
a problem with alcohol?

No.

You know, Mr. Watley,

I'm a pretty good cook
when I set my hand to it.

You have a child in the house,

so you cook every day
whether you feel like it or not.

Do you have a firearm
in the house?

Yes, sir, but it's
under lock and key.

You ever have
cause to employ it?

Once or twice,
in the line of duty.

Aren't you a lawyer,
Commander Rabb?

Well, I'm also a war veteran,

a Naval officer
and qualified F-14 pilot.

Then there's the matter
of the separate bedroom.

How do you plan
to deal with that?

I don't know yet.

If you can't find a solution,
you'll be required to move.

Look, Mr. Watley,

this is all happening
very quickly

and I haven't had time
to work out the fine points.

A bedroom for a child
is not a fine point.

How long have
you lived alone?

Since I was 17.

No roommates.

Not since the Academy.

What kind of
relationship

did you have
with your father?

I never really
had a chance at one, sir.

He went missing
in action when I was five.

What do you know
about raising children?

Honestly, not a lot.

I hope you have a better answer

when you appear
at the custody hearing.

I intend to.

Look, I'm playing
catch up

right now, Mr. Watley.

The Adolescent Girl:
A Study In Pathology.

Between Sixteen and Sex:
Raising a Teenage Girl."

You seem to be
prepared for the worst.

I'm a fighter pilot,
Mr. Watley.
We prepare for the worst,

that way we cut down
on our surprises.

Mm.
Have you ever crashed?

Oh, yeah.

More than once?

Four times.

And you intend to keep flying,
Commander?

Yes, I do.

I'll say this about you,
Commander.

You are refreshingly candid.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Coates, I want you to know

that I find you an asset
as my legalman.

It was my expectation,
my hope, sir.

Of course, as you know,
the rules don't allow

superiors and subordinates
to exchange presents.

Yes, sir.
Also, no consumption

of alcohol in government spaces

or untoward displays
of holiday affection.

Correct.

Then, sir,
how do I tell you

how much all this
means to me?

You just did.

Great, then that's
taken care of.

May I speak personally, sir?

If you must.

When I first met
Commander Rabb
two years ago,

I was almost
a convicted felon,

and now to have
all of this,

I'm just, I'm very grateful.

You know, I don't
like to discuss

personal matters
with my staff.

Experience has
taught me that, Admiral.

But, um, you need to quit being
so damn grateful all the time.

-It gets a little tiresome.
-Sir?

You're earning your keep,
that's what matters.

Stop thanking everyone.

Are you going to be at the
service tomorrow tonight?

No, sir, not unless you need me.

I don't.

That will be all.

Yes, sir.

Sir, I have
a surprise for you.

"The first present I bought
you burnt to a crisp."

[ chuckles]

"So I went back and
twice checked my list.

I still wanted to tell
you of my love..."

"So I bought you
a pair of gloves.

"But that didn't
seem right,

"so I stayed up
all night.

"The ideas I had
went from bad to worse,

so I decided to do this
in verse."

"I think of you
day and night

and I want you
back in my sight."

"There will be many
Christmases to come,

I just miss you this one."

Where'd you get this?

I wrote it myself, sir.

With a little help from
the rhyming dictionary.

There's a performance
of Romeo and Juliet
in Bologna tonight.

Dr. Cavanaugh will be
in the audience.

I've arranged
for one of the actors

to read it after the show.

I'll be damned.

I hope not, sir.

With your permission,
sir, a question?

Are you happy?

Jennifer...

for the first time in years.

Then there's hope.

I hope you don't have
to wait as long as I did.

[ chuckling]

[ knocking]

[ knocking]

Mattie.

Hi.

What are you doing here?

I need to talk.

Well, how
did you get here?

I drove myself.

Mattie, it's one thing to drive
that truck on back roads,

but in D.C.?

My father came back.

When?

Earlier tonight.

I heard a knock on the door
and there he was.

He needed a place
to stay,

so I let him in.

I told him only one night.

I also told him about you,

about how you're
going to be my guardian.

And?

And he said
he'd fight you in court.

WOMAN:
Commander Rabb,

you have petitioned

the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court

to become the guardian

of Matilda Grace
Johnson,

a minor child.

I have, Your Honor.

I have read

the reports of Donna LeMoyne,
the guardian-ad-litem,

and the home inspection report
of Morgan Watley.

Both reports raise questions.

But both indicate
a refreshing honesty

and realistic appraisal
of the challenge you face.

I would be glad to answer

any questions
the court has, Your Honor.

And you will have your chance.

However, this matter
has become complicated

due to the return
of Thomas Johnson,

Matilda Grace Johnson's
biological father.

Mr. Johnson, I understand
at this time

you wish to address
the court.

I do, Your Honor.

You need to
convince me

that you are willing
and capable

of taking care
of this child.

So before you
speak your piece,

I have a few
questions for you.

Firstly, where have you been
the last six months?

Well, I've been trying to get my
life back together, Your Honor.

And you left Matilda on her own?

No, I left her
with relatives.

She chose not
to stay with them.

Mattie can be, uh,
strong willed.

And what's to say
that you will not

abandon this child
a second time?

Well, ma'am, I was the victim
of a very unfortunate accident.

You killed my mother.

Miss Johnson.

My name is Grace.
Mattie Grace.

Johnson is his name.

And he was drunk.

Mattie.

Sit down.

Your father has
a right to be heard,

and you need to
respect this court.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

Apology accepted, Miss Grace.

Your Honor...

I wasn't always
the way I am now.

Mattie might not remember,

in fact she might
not want to remember,

but I used to be
a good man.

And I was a good father.

See, her mama
used to work nights

and I'd make
the dinner.

I used to read to her.

She seems to have forgotten
all that now.

The fact is,
Your Honor,

I've made
some mistakes.

Made some big ones.

Things I can never repent for,

no matter how much
I wish I could.

But I am trying to be
a better man,

for Mattie.

And all I'm asking you
is to give her the chance

to get to know me

the way that I am now.

May I say something, Your Honor?

This is your day, Mattie.

There is no way that this man
can make it up to me.

He got behind the wheel
when he was drunk.

I will never
forgive him for that.

Commander Rabb has offered to
make a place for me in his life.

I promise to do what he says.

I won't make any
trouble for him.

Trouble
is a part of life.

I am only interested
in how Commander Rabb

is going to handle
that trouble.

Your Honor, I lost my father
when I was young.

Not because he left,

but because he went
missing in action in Vietnam.

I know what it's like
to grow up without a father.

And I don't take
the responsibility

of fatherhood lightly.

I give my word to this
court, Your Honor,

that I will do my level best
to be sure that Mattie

gets everything
she deserves.

I've given her my word

that she will never be
alone in this world again.

Yeah, well, there's only
one problem with that,
you're not her father.

Donna LeMoyne was
most impressed
with Commander Rabb.

She believes he would make
a very suitable guardian.

But doesn't a man
have a right

to be with his own child?

That is a primary consideration,
Mr. Johnson.

However, this court must
also consider

what kind of father
you will make.

And also what kind of guardian
Commander Rabb will make.

[ door opening]

Your Honor, there's
a character witness

who would like
to be heard.

A Lieutenant
Colonel Mackenzie.

Your Honor,
I've been a colleague

of Commander Rabb's
for eight years.

I have the highest level
of respect

for his honor and integrity.

What is your opinion
of his suitability

as a guardian for Mattie Grace?

Highly suitable, Your Honor.

On what do you base
that opinion, Colonel?

Your Honor, I have seen
the Commander put
his own life at risk

to protect the son
of a fellow aviator

who was killed in the line
of duty. The Commander
has always

taken a personal interest
in cases involving children,
Your Honor.

He's taken a child witness
into his home
and pulled strings

to get medical attention
for a traumatized
little girl

after he made it
his personal quest

to solve that little girl's
sister's murder.

That does speak well
of the Commander.

What else can
you give me?

I've given a lot of thought
to the kind of man

that I would want to be
the father of my children

if I ever...

Commander Rabb
is that kind of man, Your Honor.

I can't prove it to you.

I can only state
without reservation

that he is up to the job.

Thank you, Colonel.

You both make
compelling cases
for custody.

Mr. Johnson,
while you do share biology

and a history with Mattie,

it will be very
difficult for you

to continue your recovery

while caring for a minor child.

Commander Rabb, your lack
of experience with children

combined with
your professional
responsibilities

makes you equally
questionable in my mind
as a suitable guardian.

I need to take this
matter under submission

to determine what is in
Mattie's best interest.

In the meantime, Mattie,
I'm going to temporarily
place you into foster care.

Your Honor,
why can't I just go home?

I'm sorry.

That is no longer an option.

Social Services
will find an appropriate

temporary foster family
for you to stay with

until I can sort
through these issues.

You do understand that you
will be back in six months
to hear my final decision.

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Noel, noel, noel, noel ♪

♪ Born is the King of Israel. ♪

There are many reasons
we turn to God.

Sometimes it is for consolation.

As Jesus said in Nazareth,
"He hath sent me

to heal the brokenhearted,

to preach deliverance
to the captives

and the recovering
of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty them
that are bruised."

And sometimes
it is for guidance.

"Yet a little while
is the light with you.

Walk while ye have the light,
lest darkness come upon you;

for he that walketh
in darkness

knoweth not where he goeth."

What we find is that
God has the answers

if we are just
willing to listen.

But often what is lacking

is our ability to
hear what he's saying.

We are too busy
in our own lives,

or too lost in our own misery.

We are deaf

to the sweetest music there is.

And that is our loss.

Because God should not
just be a Sunday thing,

or somebody that we call on
when we are afraid or in need.

He should inform
every day of our lives.

He teaches us forgiveness
for ourselves and for others.

That's his greatest
gift to us--

to multiply our happiness
here on Earth.

Never forget that.

♪ Joy to the world,
the lord is come ♪

♪ Let Earth receive her king ♪

♪ Let every heart
prepare Him room ♪

♪ And heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing ♪

♪ And heaven,
and heaven and nature sing... ♪

You won't forget me?

Are you kidding?

I don't want you
to see me cry.

Mattie... I'm sorry.

You did your best.

I'm going to have
to get used to
being without you.

I'll send you the address
of my new foster family.

Come visit sometime.

[ knocking on window]:
Mr. Johnson?

Colonel.

May I speak with you?

Do you want me to get lost?

Might be best.

Why didn't you come inside?

Because last time
I was inside a church,

I was burying my wife.

Now I'm losing Mattie
to a bunch of strangers.

I'm supposed
to drop her off tonight.

I'd like to speak with you, sir,
as one alcoholic to another.

Another fine sermon,
Chaplain.

Thank you, Admiral.

Reverend, thank
you so much

for remembering
our fighting men

and women in your prayers.

Yes, thank
you, Chaplain.

Dad spent five Christmases
in the field.

It was hard being away from
the family at Christmas.

You were always home
in our hearts, Dad.

Thank you, son.

Thank you
for your words inside tonight.

It's something you've
always known, Sturgis.

You'd just forgotten
it for a while.

Hey, I wonder

how the USO
tour is doing.

Why don't we find out?

♪ January's cold ♪

♪ February's colder ♪

♪ March winds come along
and wrap around my shoulder ♪

♪ No silver bells
that jingle... ♪

How'd you arrange this?

I called Armed Forces
Television, sir,

and asked for a live feed.

I'm afraid I used
your name, sir.

And I may have committed
you to several things,

among them a Saturday
morning call-in show.

You did such a great job,
sweetie.

♪ ...May, I smell the roses ♪

♪ June, the sun is hot ♪

♪ It burns our cheeks
and noses ♪

♪ No joyous Christmas carols ♪

♪ To reach to heaven
loud and strong ♪

♪ I'm wishing it were Christmas
all year long ♪

♪ Some year
we really ought to try ♪

♪ A Christmas in July ♪

♪ For that
I'd be the first in line ♪

♪ And though
August and September ♪

♪ Are hotter than an ember ♪

♪ From a Yuletide fire ♪

♪ I'm burning with desire ♪

♪ For October's
turning leaves ♪

♪ That drift into November ♪

♪ I've waited all year through
to finally reach December ♪

♪ 'Cause that's
when we're reminded ♪

♪ That love
is still alive and strong ♪

♪ I'm wishing it were Christmas
all year long ♪

♪ There's just no time
like Christmas ♪

♪ So, how could I be wrong? ♪

♪ Oh, wishing
it were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing
it were Christmas ♪

♪ All year long. ♪

[ cheering]

Thank you.

Don't miss your chance, son.

I don't intend to.

This is the nicest
Christmas gift

anyone's ever given me.

Thank you, Jennifer.

You're welcome, ma'am.

I know a lot of us
have loved ones at home--

parents, husbands
and wives and kids.

People we miss,
and who miss us.

I know I have.

I want you to know
that they are thinking

about you tonight.

-[ whistling and cheering]
-And so are people

you've never met.

People who know the sacrifices
you are making to be here,

and who are so proud of you,
and grateful.

You are not alone tonight.

[ cheering and applause]

Whoo! Merry Christmas!

MATTIE:
Harm.

Hi.

What are you doing here?

You're my guardian.

Mac talked to my dad.

He agreed to step aside

so I won't have to go
to the foster family.

How did you do that?

I convinced him that now
that he's stopped drinking,

he'll have to start
dealing with life,

and he's not fit to
take care of Mattie

until he can take
care of himself.

Mr. Johnson agreed to a
full course of treatment.

And if he can pull
his life together,
and if Mattie wants,

then they'll
give it a shot.

Until then I'm yours.

You can hug me, you know.

I-I won't break.

Good night.

Where are you going?

I have a... a date with Webb.

Merry Christmas.

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ Wishing it were Christmas ♪

♪ All year long ♪