Christmas, however fraught with kitsch,
does seem to survive, and I
hope in this season
we can find the depth that tradition confers.

A few years ago
my Christmas dinner was interrupted by 12
brass players who appeared on my porch and played
Christmas carols. I don’t think I’ve ever had
a richer experience of Christmas
—except for seeing
this stars one Christmas
Eve in second grade—
and I will be
eternally grateful to them for reminding
me of who
I am.