What’s the origin of the tradition of Christmas caroling around town after dark?
I think it was a fluke. Carolers were leftover trick-or-treaters from Halloween. They tried their candy quest again at Christmas but homeowners had had enough with all that door-to-door begging. So the people broke into song, hoping to coax at least some cocoa and cookies from the neighbors. “Joy to the World” smoothes feathers a lot better than somebody in a witch costume threatening to soap one’s windows. Why does Santa land on the roof and come down through the chimney? His reindeer already are restless about this round-the-world ordeal. Santa fears they would wander off if he parked them at the curb. About the chimney thing — few homeowners have their security alarms connected to their chimneys. Front doors could be a big problem. Santa could not possibly remember everybody’s alarm pass codes. He has enough trouble with remembering who’s been bad and good. Should everyone leave milk and cookies for Santa? No. Pressure is building for Santa to slim down. Oprah’s doing that topic nex
