Since I started college, the Christmas season, previously warm in the presence of loved ones and magical in the glow of twinkling tree lights, has felt oddly disjointed. For one, as a member of an a cappella group, I start Christmas in October, before the rest of the world is even allowed to listen to Christmas music, in order to have a decent set prepared for our annual concert. Thus the Christmas season begins with a checklist:

“Learn X songs in Y weeks.” (1)

Then, the day after the concert, a reminder of impending finals rears its ugly head, and suddenly, the “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” appear to have run out. Projects and final reports beckon my nose to the grindstone for the next week, and the Christmas season continues with the grave call to action:

“Surv...