One, from Iowahawk, on how retired  Members of Congress might make their way in a wicked world. 

The second, from the Pope, in a Christmas greeting message:

Alexis de Tocqueville, in his day, observed that democracy in America had become possible and had worked because there existed a fundamental moral consensus which, transcending individual denominations, united everyone. Only if there is such a consensus on the essentials can constitutions and law function. This fundamental consensus derived from the Christian heritage is at risk wherever its place, the place of moral reasoning, is taken by the purely instrumental rationality.... 

That's a good way to think of the political significance of Christmas and our other religious holidays, such as Thanksgiving.  H/t WheatandWeeds.