The Christmas season runs on two things: sugar and torture. Here, kids, build this gingerbread house. Here are some graham crackers. Oh, frosting, too. How about gumdrops coated in sugar? Maybe some chocolate M&Ms to line the roof. Licorice for the window trim. Maybe a door specially crafted out of marshmallows and gummy bear people…

A shepherd led his smallish flock down the side of a hill to a grassy valley. It was dusk, so he descended into shadows, but he knew the valley by heart. Low stone walls created several protected areas and folds for his animals. He stood between two gates in the wall, each leading into separate…