Have a Very Merry [redacted]

Leah Anthony Libresco, 12.25.2009

Junior at Yale University, double majoring in Political Science and Mathematics

According to Eamon Javers at Politico, Barack Obama has explicitly referenced Jesus Christ more frequently as president than George W. Bush ever did. ...

God Bless America

Mort Zuckerman, 12.24.2009

Editor, U.S. News & World Report

The end of a year always provides an opportunity to think about the true joys of living in this wonderful country we call America. One quality integral to the American sense of community is giving.

Salutations: Seven New Orleans Images

Karen Dalton-Beninato, 12.25.2009

karendaltonbeninato.com

Happy Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Festivus and all the rest of it. Here in New Orleans the balconies are glowing and the holidays are n...

EBay Listen Up: Who Do You Stand With: The Victims of Genocide or Those Who Celebrate Its Perpetrators?

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, 12.28.2009

Associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance

Without a doubt, eBay occupies prime virtual real estate in our digital malls. Out in the real world, malls do not allow the KKK and neo-Nazis to rent space and pedal hate.

Five Ways to Avoid Christmas Angst

Jane Devin, 12.28.2009

Writer-Essayist

I'm one of those people who knock the holiday season as commercial and overdone. I complain about the music, the crowds, and the expectations. Yet sec...

Why Can't Los Angeles Over-Commercialize Christmas Better?

Brady Westwater, 12.24.2009

Curator of Downtown Los Angeles

Not only can the leaders of Los Angeles not properly implement even basic economic development projects, but we can't even properly commercialize Christmas.

Alone Under The Mistletoe

Christine Hassler, 12.24.2009

Life coach, Professional Speaker, Author, and Gen Y Expert

Instead of focusing on what you don't have -- bring your awareness to what you do have. Friends, family, a job, your health, freedom to see whomever and do whatever you please, the ability to be of service, etc.

Dear Santa

Chantal Sicile-Kira, 12.24.2009

Chantal Sicile-Kira writes and speaks, mostly about autism. www.chantalsicile-kira.com.

Dear Santa, This year, I am not asking for a cure for breast cancer, or cures for world hunger, ignorance, the crappy world economy, homelessness, th...

The Immigrant Who Best Captured Christmas -- And America

John Farr, 12.24.2009

Writer, editor and lecturer on timeless film

It's a Wonderful Life can feel oppressively nostalgic and achingly sentimental in spots, but to its enduring credit, the movie never shrinks from portraying the dark flip-side of American life.

Here's to Those on My Last-Minute Christmas Shopping List

Byron Williams, 12.24.2009

Syndicated Columnist, Author, Pastor of the Resurrection Community Church Oakland, CA

To disappointed Obama supporters, no longer enthralled by the chants of "Yes we can!" I got copies of His Excellency: George Washington, 1776, Lenin: A New Biography and Fidel Castro.

Will Santa Obama Deliver?

Amy Wilkinson, 12.24.2009

Senior Fellow, Center for Business and Government, Harvard University

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land / We hoped Santa Obama would bring fortune in hand. / Small businesses hung stockings by the chimney with care, / In hopes that stimulus funding soon would be there.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Jim Keady, 12.24.2009

Founding Director, Educating For Justice

If Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers," does that imply that "Cursed are the war makers"? What does that mean for a nation that has spent more than $946 billion dollars on war making in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What the Christmas Legal Holiday is All About?

Jim Thomas, 12.24.2009

Lawyer for business/Steward for Colorado

I started blogging about our country's "legal" holidays out of concern that, for many, these days were just another day off. Well, it turns out that the Christmas federal holiday is actually just that, legally at least.

The Christmas Box

Virginia Sanchez-Korrol, 12.24.2009

Historian and Professor Emerita at CUNY-Brooklyn College

May your own version of my family's Christmas box bring you the joys of the season.

Happiness, Success, and the Spirit of Giving

C. Clinton Sidle, 12.24.2009

I have been a student of happiness in my spiritual path and of human effectiveness in my line of work. And as my seemingly separate pursuits began to merge, I found that what makes you happy also makes you successful.

War on Christmas: Who Is the Enemy?

Jonathan Merritt, 12.25.2009

Faith and Culture Writer; Author of "Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet"

In reality, Christmas for Americans--and yes, even the Christian ones--is shaped more by Currier and Ives than Joseph and Mary.

The Merriest Christmas Ever

Trey Ellis, 12.24.2009

Novelist, Screenwriter, and Assistant Professor at Columbia University

I wish all of you the best Christmas ever. You might be under-employed, under-insured and underfed, but I bet if you ask you've got at least one friend who's just waiting to lend you a hand. Ho ho ho.

What I Want For Christmas: Mass Clemency

Jacob M. Appel, 12.24.2009

Bioethicist and medical historian

A mass, collective pardon of nonviolent offenders would reunite hundreds of thousands of families, save billions of dollars in incarceration costs, and might foster a national spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Giving a Little, Gaining A LOT! Feeding Your Spirit This Holiday Season

Toan Lam, 12.25.2009

Founder of www.GoInspireGo.com

Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, wrapping gifts and preparing dinners, please stop for a minute and take a deep breath and ask yourself: What can I do?

The Most Festive Night of the Year!

Gary Stager, 12.24.2009

Teacher educator, education journalist, speaker, school reformer, university professor

There is a great American holiday tradition that flies under the radar annually. It's not only funny, but heartwarming and wildly entertaining. Every December 23rd Late Night with David Letterman celebrates the holiday.

Solstice Is The Reason For The Season!

Valerie Tarico, 12.23.2009

Author of "The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth," and founder, WisdomCommons.org

the darkness of this season forces us to look into ourselves and our relationships for beauty and delight. Summer's pleasures can make us lazy.