How Come Christmas

Please be very kind to one another.

A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear.
—John Lennon

For this final installment for 2023, I give you two gifts: words for Christmas and music for the New Year.

“How Come Christmas,” by Roark Bradford, is a story told by a pastor at a small, southern African American church. It is read by the estimable Prof. Richard C. Welsbacher, director of theatre emeritus at Wichita State University. The photo is of him reading to the children (of all ages) at his church circa late 1960s or early 1970s.

“The Turning Year: A New Year’s Toast” is sung by Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean, and it is fabulous.

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Lagniappe: Jacquie Lawson offers beautiful e-cards that are lovely as both greeting cards and art. Anybody who has a dog or a cat will enjoy them especially. Her annual fee is modest, especially considering the array and variety of selections.