Timeworn Traditions

Is this the year to jettison timeworn traditions? In response to a call for a Christmas-themed inspirational article, I pitched a piece about celebrating the season when traditional customs begin to fray under the stress of life changes. No takers, no surprise. They wanted cozy tales of Christmases past and lists of tried and truerituals for readers to adopt.

Our family celebration is tinged with sorrow. Divorce and death have wounded us deeply. I find it helpsto view Christmas as a season, n...