As we gather here this holy night, we come from a variety of religious backgrounds. For some of you I’m sure the more familiar word during The Lord’s Prayer is “trespasses.” You will especially appreciate an internet story about the little boy who was sent to bed early on Christmas Eve. His boisterous excitement was getting in the way of all the hectic, last minute preparations his parents were trying to make, and they needed to get rid of him. A few minutes later his father overheard the child saying his prayers by the side of his bed — a bit confused, but poignant nonetheless. “And God,” the child said, “please forgive us our Christmases as we forgive those who Christmas against us.”

Christmas can be so wonderful. And it can be so terrible as we get caught up in the whirlwind — trying t…