Advent was one week away, so Michelle Hardie and her husband thought they'd see what their children remembered from their family devotions the year before. "Who can tell me what the four candles in the Advent wreath represent?" Michelle asked.

Luke jumped in with seven-year-old wisdom and exuberance. "There's love, joy, peace, and . . . and . . ."

"I know!" six-year-old Elise interrupted to finish her brother's sentence: "Peace and quiet!" (1) I don't know about you, but peace and quiet would get my vote.

It always seems disconcerting to begin Advent in November. It's almost as if we have joined the secular world in rushing the Christmas season. One comedian, fed up with the playing of Christmas carols in stores before Thanksgiving, swore he saw a turkey in a pear tree.

And yet this se…