A Gentle Call to Kindness and Community in the Midst of Christmas Cheer
When John Denver joined forces with his beloved Muppets on A Christmas Together (released in October 1979 by RCA), he brought a rare blend of whimsy, warmth, and moral clarity to the holiday season. One of the most poignant songs on that record is “Christmas Is Coming”, a brief yet deeply affecting piece that channels a traditional folk refrain into a tender, universal plea for generosity.
Though it didn’t chart as a pop single in the way of Denver’s radio hits like Take Me Home, Country Roads or Annie’s Song, “Christmas Is Coming” remains a quietly enduring moment on A Christmas Together, a beloved Christmas-album collaboration between Denver and the Muppets.
In its core, “Christmas Is Coming” is deceptively simple: it borrows from an old English folk rhyme—“Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat / Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat…”—and repurposes it in the gentle, inclusive spirit that defined much of Denver’s oeuvre. The version recorded with the Muppets adds a light-hearted theatricality: character names—Scooter, Gonzo, Robin, Miss Piggy—are called out at the very opening, giving the sense that we’re being invited into a joyful, impromptu gathering.
Musically, the track is concise — barely 75 seconds long. It moves at a lively tempo (around 149 BPM) yet feels almost like a lullaby turned playful proclamation. The melody is straightforward, almost nursery-like, but every repetition of its chorus carries weight: “Christmas is coming, … please to put a penny in the old man’s hat.”
Lyrically, the song is a hymn to charity in its most humble form. It doesn’t call for grand gestures or lavish gifts. Instead, it asks for “a penny”—or, if that’s too much, “a ha-penny.” And even for those who cannot give money, it offers a benediction: “God bless you.” In this way, Denver’s rendition remains true to the original folk-tradition ethos: giving, no matter how small, is a moral act in itself, and compassion is more valuable than currency.
Beyond the words, there’s a deeper resonance here: at a time when the holiday season can feel commercial and overwhelming, “Christmas Is Coming” reminds us of Christmas’s simplest roots. It’s a gentle nudge, from John Denver and his puppet friends, encouraging listeners to remember those in need, to extend generosity, and to recognize community not just in celebration, but in kindness.
Over the decades, this short track has become something of a cult favorite among fans of Denver and the Muppets’ Christmas collaboration. While it may not be the most famous song on the album, its spirit lingers: in its innocent plea, its quiet moral urgency, and its reminder that the heart of Christmas is giving—to be present, to be generous, and to bless others. The song’s legacy is not measured in chart statistics but in its humble, open-hearted message—one that still resonates whenever the holidays draw near.