Simply Christmas…

Quin Hillyer is right  —  sometimes it’s  simply Christmas,  and that’s enough.   I tend to agree with Rich Lowry about the value of older Christmas  music compared  to the modern efforts.   I love Salena Zito’s  pay-it-forward  attitude and try to employ it year-round.  I eat out with friends about once a month,  and my favorite feat is to pay for anyone in the military who happens to be eating there.  The waiters get a kick out of telling the table a lady is picking up their lunch tab,  and not one of them has ever failed to thank me.  I get a handshake from most and a hug from a few.  I’m an antique, but I’m never averse to having a friendly hug from a good-looking young airman.

John Kass gets to  the heart  of the matter.   Kathryn Jean Lopez reveals  the greatest  gift.  Enjoy some never-before-seen  photos from  the set of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”   Some  touching stories  from NORAD,  and for all you procrastinators,  absolution and  savings!

Joy to the world…

Begin with the Wall Street Journal’s  annual Christmas  editorial,  which has been published every year since 1949.  heed the Pope’s  admonishment  to make time and room for God.

Fee free to ignore this writer’s musings about  deleting Santa.  Send a lump of coal to the United Nations for  its ugly  excess.  Amuse yourself with some of Debby Witt’s  Christmas Eve  links.   Smile ironically at a  take-off  on the classic poem.   Sigh at  the welfare  state stealing Christmas.

Remember  the reason  for the season.   Contemplate some of  the odd carols  sung at this time of year.   Be joyfully  surprised like  these people  in a food court.