Christmas is Special

During the decade or so that I taught English to high school freshmen, I would adjust my teaching schedule to begin a block on poetry a few weeks before winter vacation. Poetry needs to be heard to be appreciated, thus, I would begin and end each class period by reading a poem aloud. The last day before holiday break, I would read Clement Moore’s epic that begins “Twas the night before Christmas.” This poem defines the American version of Santa Claus. We would then read and discuss some other traditional Christmas poems and song lyrics. I concluded every year with “Yes Virginia there is a Sant...