Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All! (2013 edition)

(cross-posted at sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com)

Some stuff to read and food for thought:

The Christmas spirit, as part of Pope Francis’ 1st Christmas mass as pope.  Pope Francis noted in his homily: “There are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. If our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us.”

From NPR: “Writing ‘Rudolph: The Original Red-Nosed Manuscript” – how fascinating to learn about the origins of Rudolph!

Here it is from WNBC 4: Christmas extravaganza in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY.

Another NYC classic: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, retold by WNBC 4’s Gabe Pressman.

And WNBC’s annual Christmas Sing Along at Rockefeller Center (NBC Headquarters):