This holiday season, consider these classic Jim Henson holiday specials

Sure, we all know that Jim Henson gave us "The Muppets." And "Sesame Street" wouldn't have been "Sesame Street" without his input.

We realize that we’d never have looked for the “Rainbow Connection,” the Muppets would never have taken Manhattan, we'd never have gone into "The Labyrinth," or found "The Dark Crystal," were it not for the brilliant mind of Henson. But I am constantly amazed by the number of people who do not know that he also gave us two of the very best — and woefully underappreciated — Christmas specials, ever: “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and “John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together.”

And, like all of Henson’s best work, watching them and heeding their lessons will make you a better person.

Emmet Otter's jug-band Christmas

In 1977, Henson set about creating a TV special based on the book of the same name by Russell and Lillian Hoban. It tells the story of a mother and son, Alice and Emmet Otter, who, in a twist on the old O. Henry tale, "The Gift of the Magi," sacrifice each other’s most prized possessions in order to try to give the other the Christmas they deserve.

In this case, it’s a wash tub and a tool chest. Yes, these are such sweet and humble creatures, struggling to make ends meet after Pa dies, that their most valued belongings are a wash tub (it provides a source of income for Alice) and a tool chest (ditto for Emmet).

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No plot spoilers, but, there's a talent show, and disappointment, and unexpected redemption at the end — and a whole lot of good music in between, including a number of original songs written by Paul Williams. That's the Paul Williams who later gave us "The Rainbow Connection." Like all good Muppet songs, they are beautiful, complex — and sometimes heartbreaking.

Emmet Otter marked a turning point for Henson and his studio. For the first time, through a radio-controlled device created by technical wizard Faz Fazakas, Henson and his puppeteers were able to control their creations remotely. That allows for amazing scenes, like Alice and Emmet rowing a boat down a river. Plus, the sets in this special are out-of-control good. 

For a higher quality stream, try Hulu.

John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together

"A Christmas Together" is both an album and a Christmas special. According to the liner notes in the 1996 CD release, the album came first, and inspired the television special. Regardless, in 1979, both a record and an hour of the "Muppet Show" dropped.

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"A Christmas Together" is full of fun, classic "Muppet Show"-style takes on Christmas carols. "Twelve Days of Christmas" with Miss Piggy singing about the five gold rings and Beaker, in his most Beaker way, accompanying Dr. Bunsen Honeydew on "nine ladies dancing." Or the confusion in "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" over "bring us some figgy pudding" when Miss Piggy hears "piggy" and Gonzo assures her "it's made with figs … and bacon." Or the failed round of "Christmas Is Coming," when a carried away Miss Piggy forgets to stop. And the Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem performance of "Little Saint Nick." 

As good as all that camp is, "A Christmas Together" is at its best when it uses the kind-hearted genius of both Jim Henson and John Denver to do something deeper. I couldn't have recognized it as a young child listening to this on repeat, but singing along to songs like "The Peace Carol" and "When the River Meets the Sea" (originally from "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" and a song not about any holiday, but about death and loss) helped me understand that there are things that matter much more than what Santa leaves beneath a tree. And we could all still benefit from listening to their tale of Alfie, the Christmas tree who was happier being in the woods — and whose message of tolerance and generosity rings truer now more than ever:

"You see, life is a very special kind of thing, not just for a chosen few, but for each and every living breathing thing, not just me and you. So in your Christmas prayers this year, Alfie asked me if I'd ask you, say a prayer for the wind and the water and the wood, and those who live there, too."

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This story was first published by Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen.