That's what we're celebrating - a birth which like all other births promises the continuation of life and celebrates the triumph of life over death and which, alone of all births, promises the ultimate route of death by life superabundant. That's finally what the "Holidays" and Christmas are about..

PUTTING UP WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Hell, the French philosopher said, is other people.. Other people get on our nerves - especially at this time of the year. Other people push us aside at FAO and Borders and Eddie Bauer's. Other people collide with us in the mall. Other people make impossible demands on us at home.. Other people won't leave us alone.. Other people will not permit us a moment's peace. They are, not to put too fine an edge on things, out to get us. Know what I mean?