A Christmas miracle

Before we headed north last week, I found myself praying -- to the extent that I do, which is not really much -- that the Economist special double Christmas issue would arrive before we went on our trip. And lo -- there it was in our mailbox on the 18th or so. Santa had worked his magic properly.

The issue is by far the highlight of the year, with quirky feature stories about distinctly untimely subjects such as the history and culture of Siberia and the history of the Eucalyptus tree in California, two of this year's features. It is qualitatively better to have it over Christmas, and it makes a distinct improvement in the holiday break in the Northeast, because it gives me something warm to curl up with and read in 20-30 minute chunks during brief breaks in family activities and whatnot.