For those whose ancestors were in New York City and environs in 1822, especially for those in the Chelsea area, there is a special connection between that place and the celebration of Christmas, as currently practiced: "A Visit From St. Nicholas" was written in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moore, a scholar in Hebrew and the son of an Episcopal bishop. Moore's family had come to America in 1750 from Chelsea, England, and established a farm named Chelsea in the area of Manhattan still known by that name. Following my December 1999 posting of the above, Beth A. Scott (bethscot@mindspring.com) added: "Any of you who live in and around NYC may be interested to know about an annual event at the Chapel of the Intercession each year on the Sunday before Christmas. There is a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" in the Church, and all the children are invited to come and sit in front. Often there are famous guest readers, and it is a wonderful event for small children, especially. The service is followed by a lantern-light procession down the hill and into the cemetery where Moore's grave is blessed, and there is a tent set up with hot chocolate and cookies for all. Father Christmas (not Santa) always makes an appearance." "The Chapel of the Intercession is part of Trinity Parish, and is located at Broadway and West 155th Street. Even though my daughter is all grown up, I still try not to miss it." Then, Steve K (Odaddyo@aol.com) added as well: "In Clark Clement Moore Park on the corners of 10th Avenue and 22nd sts a block or so from the actual place the poem was written, there is annual reading of the poem every Christmas. I am not sure--but I think it might be this weekend." For more about Clement Clarke Moore and "A Visit From St. Nicholas", please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Clarke_Moore http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/historical/a/clement_c_moore.htm By the way, Benjamin Moore is the g-grandson of Clement Clark Moore. I wonder if this means that if you read "A Visit From St. Nicholas" you should be doing this in a room that was painted with Benjamin Moore paint? Regards, Walter Greenspan Great Falls, MT & Jericho, NY