“Hi Derb—I just read your post about the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

I actually went to it last year, with my wife’s parents (who are Bulgarian

and speak barely a word of English, although they do better with it than I

do with Bulgarian). It was almost shockingly religious in tone – I mean,

after the Rockettes were finished with their part. The last 20-30 minutes

featured a full nativity scene with live animals, actual Christmas carols

sung properly, and frank mentions of Jesus and Christmas.

“I’m not religious myself, but I do find the erosion of Christmas

distressing. This was a very welcome change. Afterwards, of course, I

stepping back onto the streets of New York and the annual celebration of the

ancient festival of Holiday. Merry CHRISTMAS!”

The first year my wife Rosie was in the USA (1986) I took her and another

Chinese-immigrant friend to see the Radio City Christmas show as part of my

Americanization project. They liked it, though I think the numerous Dickens

references gave them more trouble than the religious bits.