"...Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Sure does sound like Christmas, doesn't it?

I wish everyone could feel it. But the war in Afghanistan goes on. Families that lost loved ones on September 11th are preparing for a holiday that, a year ago, they could have never imagined. There is a certain dissonance to the season. Trips to malls and stores with the sacred Muzak in the air singing of "Joy to the World" or "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" mock the harsh realities.

Did you happen to see "Ally McBeal" Monday night?(1) The program opened with Ally slowly making her way home after some Christmas shopping when she spies a man standing in a cemetery looking down through tears at a new gravestone. Ally gently asks if there is anything she can do. The r…