All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S05E12.The.Best.Christmas.WEBRip.x264-ION10

'It's snowing again.'

'Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.'

You did?

No one gets the joy out
of Christmas the way you do.

I want this to be the best
Christmas we ever had.

Those big old trees over
by the north side of the church?

One of them fell,
went through the roof.

Anybody hurt?

Harley, what are you doing
out here?

Been out in the pond. Miss Fanny
and her little girl's out there.

Car went off the road.

On Walton's Mountain,
every Christmas was memorable.

Each new year held some special
surprise or delight

that set it apart.

But I think the one
we all remember most fondly

was what was planned to be
our mother's best Christmas.

It began with a quickening
sense of wonder

and astonishment that always
accompanied the first snowfall.

Drink up. Drink up.
Come on, drink!

What is this?

Come on, you silly.

Picky, picky, picky.

What is this?
Are you not thirsty?

This is the first time you're
drinking for a long while.

It's gonna freeze up
in a minute. Now, drink it.

Okay, your choice.

You little varmint!

You're getting killed,
Elizabeth!

Jim-Bob!

Do that again, Jim-Bob!

You're gonna..

It's snowing again.

Jim-Bob and I had
a snowball fight.

You did?

You should have been
shoveling it, not throwing it.

Radio says it's gonna
get colder.

- 'Can I have some cookies?'
- Not one of those, now.

Your Grandpa and I
are taking those to Maude.

- I think Maude can spare one.
- Just one.

I hate to think of her
spending Christmas

over in that rest home
in Charlottesville.

But at least
she's getting good care

and Curt says she'll be home
by New Year's Eve.

Elizabeth, do you know

'there are seven more days
until Christmas?'

Where has the year gone to?

We have to start
getting ready.

What do you think we're doing?
You're right.

But you're right if we're gonna
have Christmas on the outside

we'd better start
fixing up the inside.

Shall I get
the decorations down?

Wait till your Daddy
finds us a tree.

Only one more week
till Christmas.

Livie, the pipes are beginning
to freeze up.

Elizabeth, go find your daddy
and ask him

to please wrap the pipes
before they freeze solid.

Sure, Mama.

There's something about
snow on the evergreens

that brings the whole
holiday season to life.

I never knew anyone got the joy
out of Christmas the way you do.

It's the happiest time
of year for me.

Family all gathered together.

This time next year, who knows
where the children will be?

They're all growing so fast.

I want this to be
the best Christmas we ever had.

It will be.

Ben?

I wanna show you something.
Here it is. Look at this.

Look what you got here.

You got, "The hostess served
refreshments

"from a beautiful
old tree."

That should be "tray."

- You're getting sloppy, Ben.
- What I'm getting is frozen.

Throw some more wood
in the stove, then.

My fingers feel like
10 little icicles.

'Why don't you put
some gloves on?'

I did. That's how
the "tree" got in there.

Ever tried setting type
with gloves on?

We've gonna have to do something
about warming this place up.

Either that or just
close down till spring.

I'll tell you something,
though.

This Christmas issue is gonna be
the biggest and the best yet.

- Look.
- Hmm?

When'd you take up
pipe-smoking?

'This is for Yancy.'

It's nice.

It's hard to get
someone like Yancy a gift.

I know. He likes to keep
his life simple.

Elizabeth, close that door!

You're letting
all the cold air out!

Do you know that there are only
seven more days till Christmas?

No, I had no idea.

Did you know there are seven
days for Christmas?

No, I never realized it.

My gosh!

Did you get Elizabeth
a gift?

No, I haven't had
a chance..

- 'Not got anybody anything!
- 'I've a great idea.'

Give her a free copy
of the paper.

- The big one.
- Chronicle.

Yeah! It's gonna be
a real good edition.

We'll give you a free copy.

- 'That's a good idea.'
- You think you're so funny.

Well, that's not what
I came in here for.

- It's about Mama.
- What about her?

I think we'd better make this
Christmas real special for Mama.

Every Christmas
is special for her.

What's so different
about this one?

While we were talking
in the kitchen

she was saying how maybe next
year we might not be together

and how she wanted this one
to be the best Christmas

that the family ever had.

Well! Then we'll make sure
it is the best Christmas

the family ever had.

'I gotta go pick up
Jason and Erin, okay?'

- 'Okay.'
- Don't tell Mama I told you.

I'm gonna tell her
right now.

- She ought to know.
- Definitely.

I think I'll go tell her.
Stop it!

I'm telling you, there's gonna
be a deep freeze tonight.

Them twigs on the trees
will be a-snapping.

Let's thaw out a little
before we unload that truck.

Daddy, think you can get along
without me for an hour?

Got something
important to do?

I told Patsy Brimmer
I'd come over.

We do our homework together.
She's helping me pass English.

Can't John-Boy help you
pass English?

He could,but it wouldn't be
half as much fun.

- Is it alright, Daddy?
- Alright, go, go.

Esther, there's nothing
like a cup of hot coffee

to heat up your gullet and your
gizzard and to warm your heart.

Must have been cold
up on the mountain.

It sure was.

But we found us the prettiest
Christmas tree you ever did see.

- Didn't cut it, did you?
- No. You want us to?

No, I'd like
to wait a few days.

That way it'll be fresh
and fragrant when we put it up.

Sitting out there smack dab,
middle of a lot of young trees.

They'll be the better off
for thinning it out.

I wonder where we should
put it this year.

By the stairs or front
of the window?

Wouldn't have to move
so much furniture around

if we put it
in the stairway.

I think you're right, Pa.

It's better
in front of the window.

That way you can see the lights
from the driveway.

We'll put it
anywhere you want us to.

I'll think about it.

Half the fun
is in the planning.

That's what I enjoy
about Christmas.

The way it gets her
all fired up.

Just like a girl again.

Yes, Mrs. Salter, I'll ring.

I can't leave till Miss Fanny
gets here.

Erin, forgive me.

John-Boy. I do hope you haven't
been unduly inconvenienced.

Not at all, Miss Fanny.

I'll take over now, dear.

Jo Ellen, my sister's
little girl?

She's in the Christmas pageant.

I promised to take her
to rehearsals, drive her home.

They live all the way out past
Drucilla's Pond.

Even though, I would've
been here in good time.

But Rosemary Fordwick
and Corabeth Godsey

got into a disagreement
as to how angels should walk.

I thought we never
would get finished.

I'll see you tomorrow,
Miss Fanny.

Yeah, we got one more
stop to make. Goodnight.

Night.

Good evening.

Yes. Corabeth.

Now, I thought your point
was well taken, Corabeth

but, of course, never having
actually seen an angel..

I'd hesitate to take sides.

Good to see you.
Come on in.

Everything's kind of a mess.
We can find a place to sit.

We weren't planning
on staying too long.

- Mary Ellen.
- Hi, John-Boy.

Cold nose.

This is great.
Just like home.

Yeah, Mama had
some left over.

I'll tell you
why we came by.

We were kind of wondering what
your plans were for Christmas.

To tell you the truth,
John-Boy we've been thinking

about maybe spending
the holiday with my family.

I haven't had the nerve
to tell Mama.

You know how she feels
about us all being together.

What about Curt's folks?

Seemed like the fair thing
would be to trade off.

There'll be
other Christmases.

I honestly believe
Mama thinks this is gonna be

the last one
with the family together.

Maybe it is.

Listen, that's
your decision to make.

I don't mean to intrude
about it, I, uh..

I just wanted to find out.

And I just thought
I'd let you know

how much it means to Mama if we
could all be together this year.

Hello, everybody!

Greetings.

Two more for supper.

'No, Mama. I have supper
fixed at home.'

I could be persuaded
to stay.

Curt!

Did I say something wrong?

'We came to talk
about Christmas.'

I imagine you two want to spend
Christmas with Curt's parents.

No.

No, we'll go there
next year.

I told you we'd all
be together for Christmas.

Then, why are we all
standing around?

Let's have supper and start
getting this place ready.

Do you realize there are
only seven more days left..

Let's eat.

Hurry up, Esther.

Almost forgot the apron.

Give our best to Maude, now.

At least she won't be alone
the day before Christmas.

'Pa, I filled her with gas.'

'She'll get you
to Charlottesville and back.'

Don't be late for supper!

- Be home before nightfall!
- Don't worry.

Drive careful, now, Pa.

Ever seen anything like that,
John-Boy?

I never did.

How come you put it
all up here?

I thought it would be nicer out
here so everyone could enjoy it.

You know, Corabeth made every
one of them decorations herself.

Labor of love.

I assisted Mama.

You certainly did, precious.

You know, Aimee's getting more
like her mother every day.

John-Boy, have you ever
seen so many presents?

This is before Santa Claus.

This is a very special
Christmas for us

because it's our first one
with Aimee.

Corabeth just won't settle
for anything but the best.

I got to be going.

Don't run away. Have some
hospitality, some more eggnog.

I would love to
but I've gotta be

at Professor Parks' house
in a half-hour.

Schoolwork on Christmas Eve?

No, it's not schoolwork.

Professor has
a friend from New York

a book editor,
coming this way on vacation.

He wanted me to meet him.

Sounds like it might be
a nice Christmas present.

It most certainly could.

Elizabeth, I'll
pick you at 6:00.

'We've got supper
at 7:00 sharp, alright?'

Merry Christmas, everybody.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Aimee.

- Bye.
- 'Bye.'

I'll bet you're getting
all that you asked for.

I suppose so.

Sure is a big tree, Daddy.

Best tree we've had in years.
Come on, let's get it inside.

Alright, we're coming in, hon.
Now, close your eyes.

Come on, Son. Easy.

- Keep them closed.
- It's cold!

Easy. Watch the paint.

Close the door. Close it.

Back. Back.

Just a minute! Here we go.

There! Take a look at that.

- John, it's beautiful!
- Isn't that a beauty?

- That's a beauty.
- Where did you find that?

Something sure smells good.

Are you sure Patsy's
coming for dinner?

I asked her.

Will be nice to have her
with us on Christmas Eve.

I sure hope she doesn't get
embarrassed.

I'll be on my best behavior,
Son.

It's Ben and Jason
I'm worried about.

I hope Ma and Pa get back
from Charlottesville

in time for me
to go into Rockfish.

You did good, John.

Yes, sir, John,
did real good.

That's my favorite carol,
Jason.

It's most appropriate
on this Christmas Eve.

I still haven't got it
quite right yet.

It sounds so simple
but it's so hard to play.

That's just like the teachings
of the Christmas Child.

Nothing could be simpler to
read, but to put into practice

The decorations
look real nice, Reverend.

Thank you.

Although some Baptists
might take exception.

Some feel bringing of greenery
into the church is pagan.

I reckon you can find some
Baptist to take exception

to almost anything.

What?

Nothing.

This is a very ancient custom.

Men who worshipped trees,
they were called Druids.

Anyway, I think it looks nice.

I don't see any harm
in making some druid happy.

Thank you. I gotta be getting on
over to the parsonage.

I'd like to stay, practice
a while longer, that's alright?

Stay as long as you like,
Jason.

'Thanks, Reverend.'

* What fun it is
to ride and sing *

* A sleighing song tonight *

* Jingle bells, jingle bells *

* Jingle all the way *

* Oh! what fun it is to ride *

* In a one-horse open sleigh *

* Jingle bells, jingle bells *

* Jingle all the way *

Remember, Maude, when I got
stuck down the chimney

of the First Baptist Church
when I was playing Santa Claus?

And you kept playing
louder and louder

to cover up the commotion
he was making.

I was trying to cover up
what he was yelling.

Shouldn't be heard in a bull
hall, let alone a church.

They'd to hoist me
with a block and a tackle.

I can just see you shouting,
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

And dangling down
by the seat of your pants!

"Ho! Ho! Ho!
Help! Help! Help!"

I tell you, we've had some
great Christmases, haven't we?

This wouldn't have been
so great

if it hadn't been for
good friends like you two.

'Can't keep a woman like you
down for long. With your grit.'

Yeah. You'll be home soon

wearing a new apron,
fussing around in the kitchen.

Hip bones don't heal
too fast at my age.

But I'm well looked after.

It's just that I hate to be away
from home this time of year.

Home. The next time we come

I'm gonna bring you some
milk from your goat, Myrtle.

That will be nice.

Yes. But we gotta be
getting on home.

Don't go yet.

'I don't like to drive
much after dark.'

We promised Livie
to be home for supper by 7:00.

Can't you have a cup of hot tea
and some of these cookies

you brought me before
you set out again?

Those cookies are for you.

I think a cup of hot tea
would be nice, Maude.

That's nice.

How about some hot tea,
old dears?

Alright.

In the dining room?

'You made this for me?'

'Me, special?'

I tried to think of something
you'd like.

I like it.
I like it a lot.

Move over, Earl!

Sets off my corncob
real fine, don't it?

It sure does.

Maybe sometime you'll get
more than one.

I'll get five or six of them
and fill up the whole rack.

I'm glad you like it.

That's the first Christmas
present I've had in years.

I don't recollect how it ended.
I just got out of the habit.

Glad you like it.

I gotta be heading home.
Merry Christmas.

Wait, Ben. I got something
for you.

- I don't want you to go..
- Now, now, now.

Got it as a consolation prize
at a party.

It ain't no consolation to me
'cause I don't shine my shoes.

I thought you might like it.

A shoe-shine kit.
Yes, I would.

Merry Christmas, Ben.

Thanks, Yancy.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

Now I gotta be heading home.

Wait a minute.

Don't walk home
in that freezing weather.

I'll drive you
in my flivver.

I don't want you
to go to any trouble.

Ben, it ain't no trouble.

Tonight was gonna be loneliest
night of the year for me

what with Sissy home visiting
her folks.

But you brung back
the Christmas spirit to me.

Least I can do is

keep you from freezing your
little ears off.

Okay.

I guess the icy roads
between here and Richmond

have got Hank stranded.

I wish he would have telephoned.

'I think I ought
to be going.'

'Gotta pick up Erin
at the telephone office.'

The weather for Christmas
will be white and cold.

Below-zero temperatures
expected in the mountains.

Many roads are badly iced
and all holiday motorists

are urged to use
extreme caution.

- In other parts of..
- I'm gonna go, Professor.

It's Christmas Eve.

I wanted to get you two
together.

Maybe next time
he's in town, alright?

- Okay, I'll get in touch.
- Good.

John. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.

- Thank you very much.
- Okay. Bye-bye.

'Jim-Bob?'

Patsy will be with you
in just a minute.

She sure takes
a long time getting dressed.

She wants to look just right
being with your family and all.

Mama was counting on us
sitting down at 7:00.

We're gonna decorate
the tree afterwards.

It's so thoughtful of you
to include Patsy.

She's done so well, being away
from her folks and all

but Christmas is a time when
a person misses home and family.

Maybe you better tell her it
doesn't matter what she wears.

I don't think anybody will
notice in all that confusion.

I don't think that'd be wise,
Jim-Bob.

Here.

Have a piece of candy.

Merry Christmas.

Yes, Mrs. Ogilvie,
I'll ring.

I don't know where
Miss Fanny is.

'Merry Christmas.'

No, I haven't heard
from her, either.

Do you want me
to call the sheriff?

My brother's here.
I'll tell him.

Maybe he'll know what to do.

That was Miss Fanny's sister.

She's worried about her, too?

Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen left
dress rehearsal 45 minutes ago.

She was supposed
to take Jo Ellen straight home

and then come right back here.

'Should I call the sheriff?'

No, no.

Maybe she's got a flat tire
or motor trouble or something.

I guess I better go
try to find her.

Merry Christmas.

You're sure going slow.

A minute ago you said
I was going too fast.

The way the windshield's
iced over

I don't know how you can see
where you're going.

Just gonna have to trust
your Divine Providence, Esther.

We should have left
before dark.

Having that last cup of tea

with Maude did her
a whole world of good.

Zeb, now, you be careful!

I just can't see
anything ahead.

It isn't safe to go on any
further, Esther.

We sure can't stay
here all night.

Guess we're gonna have
to go back to Charlottesville.

We're not too far out.

You're gonna have
to be my eyes, Esther.

They all knew dinner is at 7:00.
Where is everybody?

Radio says the roads
have been turned to ice.

I can understand
Grandma and Grandpa

and John-Boy being
stranded in cars

but what about
all the others?

I'll get down to Ike's,
use his phone

find out what's going on.

Good idea.

John.

The ice must've taken out
a power line.

Here's a match.

Here's another one
right here.

I hope the power won't stay out
for dinner.

I'll go get those
kerosene lamps.

Jason, where in the world
have you been?

Those big old trees over by
the north side of the church?

One of 'em fell,
went right through the roof.

- Anybody hurt?
- No.

We're gonna have to fix the roof
and get that tree out of there.

There isn't gonna be any
morning Christmas service.

- Be right with you.
- Need my help?

Better stay here
in case the others come.

Harley, what are
you doing out here?

Been out in the pond. Miss Fanny
and her little girl's out there.

Car went off the road.
I can't get them out.

- Come on, you gotta help me.
- Get on.

Miss Fanny?

John-Boy! Please,
help us. Hurry!

Miss Fanny, can't you
get the door open?

I already tried, John.
The door's jammed.

Listen maybe if both
of us tried it.

Grab on to the door.

Grab on to the side
and I'll get the handlebar.

Watch out.

You alright?

- Okay, ready?
- Yeah.

Let's go.

Roll the window down!

I can't.

Curt!

That's right.

Curt, they're gonna
be waiting.

Hold your horses!

No, no, no, no.
Not you, Mrs. Tolliver.

I'm awful sorry that you feel
so bad on Christmas Eve.

Do what I told you to,I think
you'll feel fine by morning.

And if you don't,
you just give me a call.

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Tolliver.
Merry Christmas.

Mama expected us
half an hour ago.

Your mother will understand.
She knows Mrs. Tolliver.

No.

- Do we have to answer it?
- We do.

15 seconds later and we wouldn't
have even heard it.

Let me answer it.
I get less involved.

Hello?

Hello, Mary Ellen,
am I glad to hear your voice.

Erin? Where are you?

Still on the switchboard.
Verdie Foster just called.

Miss Fanny and Jo Ellen were
in a car accident

near Verdie's house.

John-Boy's there right now
trying to get them out.

They need you
and Curt right away.

I've got the crowbar!

I've got some blankets!

Here, John-Boy. Here.

Hurry up and get her
out of that water.

The door is jammed.

Harley, I think this crowbar
ought to help.

We're coming, Miss Fanny!
We'll have you out of there!

I can't rouse Jo Ellen.

Listen, Harley,
we gotta take it easy.

If this slips
into one of those

deep places, we've lost them.

Just easy.

The water's getting higher!

You got a rope in your car?

Yeah, I got a rope
in the rumble seat.

- Alright. You try and open it.
- Okay.

Please, hurry. Hurry!

We're working on it,
Miss Fanny.

We'll have you out of there
in just a minute.

Ike?

Corabeth?

Corabeth?

Heaven help us, Olivia,

if this isn't the strangest
Christmas Eve ever.

- Heard anything from my family?
- No, I haven't heard anything.

Except a tree fell on the church
and Ike went to help.

John and Jason
are over there now.

No idea where Grandma, Grandpa
are. Ben's disappeared.

Curt and Mary Ellen
never arrived for supper.

The snow and the ice have made
driving almost impossible

it says on the radio.

I guess I better take
Elizabeth home now.

She and Aimee
are enjoying themselves.

Why don't you at least
take off your coat

and come back and warm up
before you go, Olivia?

Just for a minute.

'Why is the house all dark?'

'We're so late everybody's
probably gone to bed.'

They couldn't have
gone to bed this early.

Why aren't there
any lights?

I don't know.

You stay close to me.
I'm scared of a dark house.

Okay, come on.

Lights don't work.

Mama?

Daddy?

Nobody's here.

Where'd they go?

They wouldn't just
run off on Christmas Eve.

Not unless something's gone
wrong.

Whatever happened,
somebody'd be here.

Mama's left the food
on the stove.

This is scary.
Take me home to my aunt's house.

Where could they have gone?

- How're you doing?
- It's coming.

- Curt's here.
- Thank God you're here, Doctor.

They're gonna need you.

Looks like they could
use me right now.

- Be careful.
- Let me spell you, Harley.

I think it's coming.

Pray it's not too late!

- You got her, Harley?
- Yeah.

Okay, I got her.

Okay, Miss Fanny.
Just hang on now.

- Where's the nearest house?
- Mine.

Alright. They're probably
frostbitten.

We got to treat them
right away.

Watch your step, Doctor.
It's slippery.

Take her to the van.
Get her out of those wet clothes

and wrap her in anything
you can find that's dry.

Hurry, come here
and give us a hand, will you?

- I got you.
- Got you. Watch your other leg.

Careful. Careful. Careful.

Watch your foot.

You'll be alright.

- Can you walk?
- I think so.

- Can you walk?
- I'm sorry.

Here, get her over
to the road.

Terrible to take you away from
your warm homes and families

on this Christmas Eve

but if there's any way to
save the Christmas services..

Reverend, you sure
would be welcome

to have the services
at Godsey's Hall.

That's very generous of you.

- Reverend?
- Ike, unfortunately..

there are certain associations
attached to the hall

that might work against
the reverent Christmas spirit.

'You know what, Reverend?'

I just thought of something.

If we were druids, we would have
been saved all this work.

Druids?

What on earth are druids?

They were these fellows
that lived a long time ago.

They worshipped trees.

We're not druids, Jason.
We're Baptists.

Any chance of you Baptists
getting work done down there?

Okay.

'Sorry about the old flivver
being froze up, there, Ben.'

'But I say we should
count our blessings.'

'We got us a nice,
warm cabin'

'a snug place for the livestock
and us to stay out of the cold"

'Yancy, some way or another,
I got to get home.'

Home? No place like home, Ben.
No place!

Don't you never forget it.

Forget that and you got
Yancy Tucker to deal with.

Yancy, Mama was counting on
all the family being together

for the best Christmas ever.

And that's what it is, Ben.

The best Christmas ever.

And thanks to my
good friend Ben Walton.

* Tis the season to be jolly*
That's what the song says.

'Let me tell you something,
old friend.'

"Tis the season
to be lonesome.'

Leastwise for me
with Sissy gone.

Some way or another, Yancy,
I gotta get home.

I'll walk.

Ben, the bottom's dropped out
of the thermometer.

You'll freeze
to death out there.

I don't care!
I have to go home!

You're right, Ben.
This party's over.

If I can't drive you home,
I can walk you home.

John-Boy?

Erin?

Nobody's home.

There's no one
at home, Grandpa.

Except maybe
Jim-Bob and Ben.

Doggone.

Your mother had such high hopes
for this Christmas.

It seems like everything
that could go wrong, did.

You must be wore out, Erin.

I made some hot lemonade
and have plenty of cough drops.

I just hope Miss Fanny
and Jo Ellen will be alright.

Tell your mother that your
Grandma and I'll be back home

soon as daylight
makes driving a mite safer.

Merry Christmas, Grandpa.

Merry, merry.

'Livie's upset,
the power's all out.'

'We're not the only ones
playing hooky.'

Go away for a few hours
and everything goes wrong.

Stop trying to shoulder
the blame of the whole world.

Or take credit for it,
either.

- Let's just go to our room.
- There are no rooms.

The clerk tells me he's been
turning away people by the dozen

stranded, same as we are.

There isn't an empty hotel room
in all of Charlottesville.

Now!

It's cold to sleep in the truck,
even with you, Esther.

We're gonna sleep here
in this hotel lobby.

They wouldn't turn us away
on a Christmas Eve.

I've saved the best two seats
with my coat.

Which one do you want?

Esther.

Come along with me.

I will not! Now,
the clerk said..

We are going
to the Jefferson Arms.

Zeb, there are no rooms
at the Jefferson Arms.

If there were,
we couldn't afford it.

That's the fanciest hotel
this side of Richmond.

If we're gonna have to spend
Christmas Eve in a hotel lobby

might as well be
the best one.

- Come along, now.
- Zeb, no!

- Come on.
- I'm trying to tell you that..

- Toodle-oo, toodle-oo.
- Zeb..

Excuse me.

Warm enough in here,
John-Boy?

Curt says it's alright.

He says he doesn't want them
to get warmed up too fast.

No danger in this house.

Harley's overalls don't
fit you too smart, John-Boy.

Well, maybe not.

But they're a lot more
comfortable

than the clothes
I just took off.

Thank you very much.

Watch your coffee, John-Boy.
Watch your coffee.

Thank you, Harley.
How're you feeling?

Fine, fine.

- Harley.
- Thank you.

What about Curt
and Mary Ellen?

They work pretty well
together, don't they?

They sure do.

They know what to do
and they do it.

That's just about
the best thing

you can say about anybody,
isn't it?

Doctor, do you still want
cold water?

I think we can warm it up
a little now.

Alright.

Mary Ellen?

You think they're gonna
do alright?

The little girl has frostbite
on her legs and feet

but she seems to be picking up.

Thing is Miss Fanny's right hand
and arm got the worst of it.

That's probably 'cause
she was trying to

hold Jo Ellen up outta
the water for all that time.

- Doctor?
- Yeah.

Yeah, that's fine.

How do you feel?

Who, me? I'm alright.

Wading around in the water
all that time

it's a wonder you
didn't catch pneumonia.

'Did you get word to Mama?

No, but I spoke to Erin.

From what I can tell,
there's nobody home at all.

Merry Christmas.

Ho, ho, ho.

* Go tell it on the mountain *

* Over the hills
and everywhere *

* Go tell it on the mountain *

* Our Jesus Christ is born *

* Go tell it on the mountain *

* Over the hills
and everywhere *

* Go tell it on the mountain *

* Our Jesus Christ is born *

* Go tell it on the mountain *

* Over the hills
and everywhere *

* Go tell it on the mountain *

Miss Elizabeth, you said
we'd be together

for a lot of Christmases
and here we are.

The Godseys
had such a pretty tree.

All the ribbons,
and presents.

Wait till you see our tree.

We're not gonna sit here
wringing our hands

and feeling sorry
for ourselves.

'We're gonna have
the tree all decorated'

'by the time
the others get back.'

Let's start with the lights.

Here, why don't you hang on
to this end of the string..

Elizabeth?

Elizabeth.

All secure up above?

Near as I can tell, Daddy.

And barring a hurricane

that tarp should hold till
we can replace the rafters.

'There's gonna be a lot of cold
air blowing under that tarp.'

Folks can keep their coats
and gloves on to keep warm.

All but the organist.

The important thing is

we can have our
Christmas services tomorrow.

When I first saw that tree,
I thought it'd be impossible.

It's always nice to take on
the impossible now and again.

You know, the Christmases since
I've been in the Lord's service

I've received
some wonderful presents.

But I can tell you
there is nothing to compare

'with the friendship, dedication
you've made here tonight.'

Reverend, you better
get some sleep.

Yeah. Come morning,
you'll be too tired to preach.

I will find the strength.

Goodnight, Ike.
Thank you, Jason, John.

Merry Christmas, Reverend.

See you later.

You have a nice Christmas.

- Alright, Ike.
- Goodnight.

Ike, do you want
your lanterns?

'I got a light.'

Leave them lit, Jason.

We can light our way home.

Verdie?

These clothes look better than
before I went into the pond.

I've had a little experience
doing washing and ironing.

What time is it, you reckon?

- 'It's a little past 11:00.'
- 'It's almost Christmas.'

I feel like we ought to be doing
something to help them.

I'm sure they're doing
everything that can be done.

Can you feel that?

It tickles.

That's great.

It stings.

- Tingles.
- Sure.

You're gonna feel some pain,
that's the best possible sign.

- Jo Ellen?
- She'll make it.

I'm so sorry.

Causing all this commotion
on Christmas Eve.

You just take it easy.

Mary Ellen and I are going
to hang around for a while.

John-Boy!

Is he still here?

And Harley?

Right here, Miss Fanny.

Thank you.

Thank you both.

Merry Christmas.

Everybody in that
should be in?

All except Grandma
and Grandpa.

You were gonna have the whole
family together this Christmas.

We tried.

They weren't all
here with me

but I never felt closer
to them, or to you.

Come here.

Your feet are cold.

Liv?

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Where is everybody?

They must be inside.

Hope they haven't
opened the presents.

Elizabeth!

- Elizabeth!
- Livie!

Wait for us!

We're home!

Livie?

Now, where is everybody?

Surprise! Surprise!

Merry Christmas!

Hello, Grandpa!

- Merry Christmas, Grandma!
- You taken the presents?

What've you done? You've been
into the presents already.

Come on!

We're in it too far,
Elizabeth!

We didn't get to open
our presents.

I don't think that's fair
at all.

Let's have us a carol.

A little Christmas carol,
Jason!

A little Longfellow.

What do you wanna hear?

I Heard the Bells
on Christmas Day.

That's a good one.
That's a good one.

* I Heard the Bells
on Christmas Day *

* Their old familiar
carols play *

* And wild and sweet
the words repeat *

* Of peace on earth
good will to men *

* I thought how
as the day had come *

* The belfries
of all Christendom *

* Had rolled along
the unbroken song *

Next morning,the Waltons
were all together again

in reality as well as
in spirit.

Only a few years later

when circumstances kept some of
us in the hedgerows of Normandy

or on Christmas duty
in the emergency ward

of a big hospital,our memories
of Mama's best Christmas

helped to comfort
and sustain us.

* With peace on earth
good will to men *