So, I talked to one of my sisters in Texas and will talk to my parents and other siblings later. My Albuquerque family (all my in-laws) gathered at our house for a Christmas breakfast and the one wanderer, Laura’s brother, called in from New Orleans. Everyone was healthy. Everyone was warm. Everyone was well fed.

But we are enjoined, usually, to think about those who aren’t, at this time of year. Besides the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the alone, I especially want to spare a thought for the over 160,000 American soldiers who can’t be with their families this holiday, and especially those who died today and whose families will never celerate a holiday with them again. Unfortunately, for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, this was a day like most others. They might have received gifts and exchanged gifts, but there was also a good chance that they exchanged fire as well.

God protect you and all those around you. May you come home safe. May you come home soon.

Photo by Tony Perry/Los Angeles Times

Santa didn’t come through? Make him pay.

This guy does a remarkably varied selection of your text parsed tasks. He’ll even strip for you.

(Thanks to Janice Gelb from Down Under for pointing it out.)

Steve will be along with his post soon, but in the meantime, may this day be filled with joy and blessings for you and your loved ones. Teresa Nielsen Hayden of Making Light has a Christmas post you might enjoy.