As I sat on a sunny bank On Christmas day in the morning I spied three ships come sailing in.

Christmas! 'Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, / Just like the ones I used to know.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Ever since the Christmas of '53, I have felt that the yuletide is a special hell for those families who have suffered any loss or who must admit to any imperfection; the so-called spirit of giving can be as greedy as receiving--Christmas is our time to be aware of what we lack, of who's not home.