witches would
then come down the chimney.

The presence of a barefooted or cross-eyed individual or of a woman
with flat feet was thought to foretell misfortune for the coming year.

The games of "snap dragon" and "hot cockles" are supposed to be relics
either of the "ordeal by fire" or of the days of the ancient
fire-worshippers. The former consists of snatching raisins from a
bowl of burning brandy or alcohol, and the latter of taking frantic
bites at a red apple revolving rapidly upon a pivot in alternation
with a lighted taper.

Christmas carols are commemorative of the angels' song to the
shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem, and are seldom heard in America
save by the surpliced choirs of the Episcopal churches. The English
"waits," or serenaders, who sang under the squires' windows in hopes
of receiving a "Christmas box," unconsciously add a touch of romance
and picturesqueness to the associations of the season. For upon the
frosty evening air arose such strains as--

"Awake! glad heart! arise and sing!
It is the birthday of thy King!"

Or--

"God rest you, merry gentlemen!
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ, our Savior,
Was born upon this day."

Most of the old-time favorites are too well known for repetition. The
mere mention of their names recalls the scent of evergreens, the
pealing of the organ, the tinkle of sleigh bells and the music of the
Christmas chimes. "Hark! The herald angels sing!" "While shepherds
watched their flocks by night," "Gloria in Excelsis" and many others
embody the very spirit of the season, and will live till time shall
cease to be.

"Sing the song of great joy that the angels began,
Sing of glory to God and of good will to man!
While joining in chorus,
The heavens bend o'er us,
The dark night is ending and dawn has begun."

--BERTHA F. HERRICK.

[Illustration]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Myths and Legends of Christmastide, by
Bertha F. Herrick

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