Possible Clues:

• '___ the season to be jolly'
• "Deck the Halls" contraction
• McCourt book
• "Angela's Ashes" sequel
• '__ the season ... '
• "My country, ___ of thee ..."
• 'Twas in the present?
• '___ the season!'
• "___ the season . . ."
• '-- the season to be jolly'