Portside

Woody Guthrie's Jesus is a working man ('a carpenter by hand'), an itinerant, and a radical ('sell all of your jewelry and give it to the poor'). For more Alt-Xmas music, go here and here.

The Playing for Change Band presents a new holiday video, “Low Down Dirty Christmas,” recorded live outside Sao Paolo. Composed by Tom Canning, it reaches back to the roots of blues and soul. For more Alt-Xmas music, go here and here.

John Prine fills in the 18 years in the life of Jesus. France, Spain, life, pain ... a little love and shoplifting. For more Alt-Xmas music, go here and here.

A movie (1964) by the Italian Communist Pier Paolo Pasolini, retelling the story of Jesus Christ, from birth to resurrection. For more Alt-Xmas music, go here and here.

From Jehane Noujaim, acclaimed director of Control Room, Startup.com, Rafea: Solar Mama, a documentary about the Egyptian revolution behind the headlines. Follow a group of activists in Tahrir Square, risking their lives to build a new society of conscience. Check here for screenings.