Brontosaurus en route to a Christmas party

at the American Museum of Natural History

"A Christmas carol of the fifteenth century tells of the contest between

the Holly and the Ivy for the place of honor in the hall. They have

an argument which is a duet, each setting forth his or her claims

to superiority. It is finally decided that the Holly with its red berries

shall have the place of honor, instead of the Ivy whose berries are black.

Moreover, the birds are attracted to the Holly, but only owls love Ivy!"

-- from 1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies by Alfred Carl Hottes

'As we rode down the steep hillside,

Twelve merchants with our fairing,

A shout across the hollow land

Came loud upon our hearing,

A shout, a song, a thousand strong,

A thousand lusty voices:

'Make haste,' said I, I knew not why,

'Jerusalem rejoices!'

from The Merchant's Carol by Frank Kendon

The Oxford Book of Carols, 1928

Days 'til Christmas: