The first Sunday in Advent 2009 was November 29; now that it is behind us, we are in the midst of the year’s busiest (or, dare I say, “worst”) shopping period. From now until December 24, the activity in the stores and shops is going to increase with each passing day and reach a veritable frenzy during the last few hours. Malls and other shopping venues are open for business on Sundays (not the norm around here), and the streets are teeming with people scurrying around toting shopping bags filled with gifts and other holiday goodies. For now, the supermarkets are still safe, but in another two weeks, they, too, will be jam-packed. Among all the hustle and bustle, it’s all too easy to forget what the holiday season is about. We would do well to remember...