Throw Your Arms Around the World at Christmastime

A lot of people are commenting on this year’s card’s tagline. Few seem to remember that it’s from “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band-Aid, one of those late-80s Feed the World type of affairs. Our friend Bob Geldof led the thing. I love that song, and love that it takes me back to being in London … the most vivid memory of that time is of the annual St Pauls’ Girls’ School Christmas (yes, Christmas, not holiday) concert. At the end of the concert every doorway opening onto the Great Hall was packed with girls leaning into the room, singing along to “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” (which remains my favorite carol). The whole Great Hall lit up with candles and wreaths and what felt like thousands of swelling voices. I wish my scanner worked because I have some great pictures of those days.