It’s hard to accept that we are called to praise. What shout of joy amid such poverty?

On Christmas Eve 1818, in the church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf near Salzburg, “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) was sung for the first time. Today, the carol has been translated into some 300 languages.

Christmas is the chance to welcome the stranger; to be the good innkeeper and not the bad one.

The simultaneous pull of love and sadness is pure Cheever and permeates his Christmas story.

‘Rosca de Reyes’ gives a sweet ending to the 12 days of Christmas.

Gift giving is always an exchange. But here is an exception that may yet prove the rule.