Today I was moving some books from one place (actually a storage box) to a bookshelf in my wife’s office. I came upon a book I didn’t know we had and had no recollection of purchasing or receiving it. The book was “In the Dark Streets Shineth,” 2010, by David McCullough. And glued in an envelope at the back of book was a CD of a Christmas Special where Mr. McCullough appeared with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

You most likely know that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents a Christmas Special each and every Christmas season, and has for many years. At each such special they have a well known person give a verbal presentation with a Christmas message. (By the way, there will be another Christmas special this coming Sunday by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Consult your local listings for the time and channel. I know you will enjoy the presentation.

As for David McCullough, he is a noted historian and prize winning author. He has captured the Pulitzer Prize for his historical novels “John Adams” and “Truman.” He is also the author of “1776”, “Brave Companions”, and “The Johnstown Flood.” He is the recipient of the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Honor.

I sincerely hope you have read my favorite book of his, “John Adams”. It caught the attention of Congress, who renewed efforts to have a monument or memorial built to Adams in the nation’s capitol. (I wonder what ever came of that?)

In anticipation of the Christmas celebrations, I thought you would like to read what David McCullough wrote in this book “In the Dark Street Shineth” as an ending paragraph.

“Let the children have their night of fun and laughter. Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern task and the formidable years that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.

“And so, in God’s mercy, a happy Christmas to you all.” (“In the Dark Street Shineth”, David McCullough, 2010, page 33.)