Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt with wreath, Grand Central Terminal

"In Roman days it was common to have an Urn of Fate and from this

ancient custom, the Spanish place the names of all their friends

in a large bowl. From this the names are drawn and fate decides

who shall be devoted friends for the year; they become almost

lovers to each other. Sometimes this is a great disappointment

but everyone tries to be philosophical about it."

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

'Sing, good company, frank and free!

Jesus, when so young was he,

With the little calf shared the stall;

Low he lay

On a day, on a day,

With the little calf in the stall

Low he lay,

With the little calf in the stall

Low he lay,

He lay there for us all, us all.

Rouse, good company, rouse you, rouse!

All the earth to Jesus bows;

Yet the dwelling that he'd implore

Poor must stay,

By my fay, by my fay,

Still the dwelling that he'd implore

Poor must stay --

Man's heart only must serve therefore.

Sing, good company, glad and true!

God may lodge with me and you;

So let's love them -- all beasts and men,

Kindlily,

As doth he, as doth he;

If we love them -- all beasts and men,

Kindlily,

God will lodge with us then, ah then!'

Jesus of the Manger, by Pr. Patrick R. Chalmers

The Oxford Book of Carols

  Days 'til Christmas