Reunited in California with the familiar Mexican nativity after a year's hiatus, but still enjoying our church community in New York. In her sermon at the Chrismas Vigil (streamed), our rector recalled the late Stephen Sondheim's argument against the use of amplification in theaters: it makes the theatergoer a mere passive visitor, instead of a participant, leaning forward to make out the words. In this year's array even the angels seem to be leaning forward, even the star.