No Virginia, they're not Santa

Don't be afraid children - those drunken people in red suits and even redder noses aren't the very jolly St. Nick but revelers celebrating Santacon.



Children you know what, it's best if you just avert you eyes. At the pace they're going they'll all collapse in a drunken heap by early this afternoon.

In honor of the nasty Santas out there - here are a few traditional Christmas Carols:


It Came Upon A Midnight Clear -



It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The carol started life as a poem written by its author who was a minister living in Massachusetts at the time. The music for It Came Upon A Midnight Clear was composed by American musician Richard Storrs Willis in 1859 who was inspired by the words of the poem.


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -



God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols.


O Come All Ye Faithful -



The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics Adeste Fideles.


Away in a Manger -



Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885. The publication of Away in a Manger was in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to Away in a Manger was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895.



10 more shopping days until Hanukkah, 15 more shopping days until Christmas.


A complete aside - shouldn't there be a minimum educational requirement when you are running for President?