Some years back, Desmond McCarthy, renowned drama critic for The London Sunday Times, came for his initial visit to America. His New York City host had arranged, naturally, to go to the theater the very same night that he arrived. Coming out after the performance, McCarthy looked for the first time at the dazzling lights of Broadway. He had blinked at them for a few moments without a word, then he turned to his host and said: “Tell me, what do you Americans do when it comes time to celebrate what should be celebrated?” (Donald Shelby, “That’s Holy").

It is an arresting question: What do you do when it comes time to celebrate what should be celebrated?

Peter, James and John had to deal that question: What do you celebrate – how do you keep on celebrating — when is it time for the celebrat…