Ducks on a mostly frozen pond in Central Park
(For Holden Caulfield)
"While driving through Czechoslovakia last summer we picked up two hitch-hiking lads,
Otta Mizera and Zdenek Mika, from Prag, who told us much of Christmas. They said
the celebrations start on Svaly Mikulas Day, December, 6, and end with the visit of
Tri Kralu (Three Kings), Jan. 6. Svaly Mikulas, the patron saint of the children, is
supposed to descend from heaven on a golden cord. He is conducted to earth by a
white-clad angel, and leads an evil spirit, Cerl, in a black hood.
Some friend of the family dresses up like Svaty Mikulas and another plays the part
of the angel, while a third carries a whip and is attached to Svaty Mikulas with
a rattling chain. As soon as the children hear Svaty Mikulas coming they rush
to the table and start saying their prayers. If they know the prayers well, the angel
is charged to distribute little gifts among them, whereas the evil spirit lurks in
the background ready to whip any naughty child who does not know his prayers.
Quite often it is the village schoolmaster who is asked to dress up
as Svaty Mikulas, for he knows the children best."
-- from 1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies by Alfred Carl Hottes
'Out of the orient crystal skies
A blazing star did shine,
Showing the place where poorly lies
A blessed babe divine,
Born of a maid of royal bood
Who Mary hight by name,
A sacred rose which once did bud
By grace of heavenly flame.
This heavenly star three kings did guide
Even from the furthest East,
To Bethlehem where it betide
The blessed babe did rest,
Laid in a silly manger poor,
Betwixt an ox and ass,
Who these three kings did all adore
As God's high pleasure was.
And for the joy of his great birth
A thousand angels sing:
'Glory and peace unto the earth
Where born is this new King!'
The shepherds dwelling there about
When they this news did know
Came singing all even in a rout,
'Falan-tiding-dido!"
from Falan-tiding, c.1610
The Oxford Book of Carols, 1928
Days 'til Christamas