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Christmas: A Defense In defending Christmas I have nothing to say about Jesus Christ, a terrifying and influential historical figure who, I confess, has had little impact on my life.[2] My Christmas, the Christmas I have known, revolves centrally around objects most crucially around presents and then secondarily around things like Christmas trees, ornaments, decorations, advent calendars, etc.[3] I have a particularly vivid memory of a childhood Christmas during which my sister would stalk[4] the Christmas tree day after day counting presents. On the final day she made a stack[5] in the middle of the room. On one side were the presents with her name on them and on the other, those with mine. She tallied them up[6]. The number was not to her liking. I can still picture the stunned calm[7] as she counted and counted again. It was clear that my pile was two presents larger than hers. I think it was the two that really bothered her. A difference of one is one thing, a difference of two is quite another. When there was nothing more to be done she gathered herself up, collected her faculties, and then proceeded to throw an epic and violent fit.[8] Right there. She screamed and raged, she tore paper and hurled objects.[9] She dashed her head, as only she could, on the kitchen floor, her beautiful blond curls bouncing up and down against the tile and mixing with the tears and saliva.[10] She grunted[11] things that couldnt be understood. I say again that this is one of the clearest memories of my childhood. | 
