Elm Trees In Central Park

"The Karkantazari are mysterious beings known and dreaded for their deeds

which make a peasant's life nearly unbearable. They are believed to wander

about Macedonia from Christmas until Twelfth Day. They set upon men

in their sleep and beat them. The best way to get rid of them is to wait until

an orthodox Greek priest comes around with his copper vessel of Holy Water.

He carries a cross entwined with sprigs of Bail. The priest dips the cross into

the water and sprinkles each room. With this the Karkantzari disappears and

is not expected to return until the next year. Old shoes are kept throughout

the year so that they may be burned at the holiday season, for the odor of

burning leather is said to be very offensive to them. The Karkantzari are inclined

to appear when folks fall asleep after an unusually heavy meal of rich foods. "

(Abbott, G.F, Macedonian Folklore)

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

'Neighbors, and is it really true,

True that the babe so small and new

Is lying even now among us?

What can we lay upon his knees --

He whose arrival angels sung us,

What can we give,

What can we give the child to please?

Dick shall bring a ball of silk,

Peter his son a pot of milk,

And Tom a sparrow and a linnet,

Robin a cheese, and Ralph the half

Part of a cake with cherries in it,

And jolly Jack,

And jolly Jack a little calf.'

from Waking-Time, by Pr. Elanor Fargeon

The Oxford Book of Carols, 1928

  Days 'til Christmas