Celebrating the Meaning of Christmas With Some Familiar Names

The Times Staff Here are words and thoughts from a collection of admired figures as we celebrate the holiday season. *** “When I cook for my family on Christmas, I make feijoada, a South American dish of roasted and smoked meats like ham, pork, beef, lamb, and bacon – all served with black beans and rice. It’s festive but different.” Maya Angelou, poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. — “What I love about Christmas music is it stays around every year and comes back.” India Arie, singer and songwriter — “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister — “A good conscience is a continual Christmas.” Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Father of the United States — “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Charles Dickens, novelist — “Moving between the legs of tables and of chairs, rising or falling, grasping at kisses and toys, advancing boldly, sudden to take alarm, retreating to the corner of arm and knee, eager to be reassured, taking pleasure in the fragrant brilliance of the Christmas tree.” T.S. Eliot, poets, essayist, publisher, playwright, and literary...