“Christmas was a sacrament observed with the exchange of gifts, when the stockings were hung, and the spruce tree was lighted in the symbol of Christian faith and love.” - Calvin Coolidge, Autobiography

For the Coolidges, the season seemed to kindle an extra sense of the magical power inherent in its omnipotent roots, bringing everyone a little closer to those things of the spirit that no force can destroy, no will crush, no darkness extinguish. It harnessed, as Cal once said, far more than “just a season” but rather “a state of mind.” Its spirit found revived expression in the adornment of the White House as a home for young children once more, a tradition not enjoyed since the Taft years. The Blue Room returned to its place as the cozy spot for a humble tree trimmed by the First Lady and her boys. The spirit of service found rightful expression also in her preparation and distribution of food baskets and gift parcels. The President inaugurated the first community Christmas Tree lighting exactly one century ago. Together they launched the Christmas Seals campaign each year to support the work of the National Tuberculosis Association. It was their initiation of musical performances, though, that became a staple of Christmas during the Coolidge years. Nor were these programs limited to Sousa’s Marines or small groups of musicians but featured what became an annual — and beloved — custom: the singing, without accompaniment, of carols. The high point of these programs consisted of the sixty-member choir of the First Congregational Church under the direction of the talented Mrs. Ruby Smith Stahl. Alongside a full collection of established favorites, the lineup came to include Dr. Jason Noble Pierce’s “The Bells of Christmas,” composed in 1925 and dedicated to Mrs. Coolidge. When the Coolidges opened the grounds to the public and encouraged guests to sing along, they were tapping the power of music to reach souls.

They understood not every gift was tangible. Joining their inner official family, which included Mary Randolph and Laura Harlan, the First Lady’s secretaries, Ted and Henrietta Clark, the President’s personal secretary, Colonel Starling, the President’s Secret Service agent, Frank and Emily Stearns, and Dr. Joel and Helen Boone, assistant White House physician, who gave the Coolidges the daughter they did not have in their own little girl, Suzanne. Just six at the time, she became a regular recipient of the Coolidges’ adoration and generosity. When she learned from Dr. Boone that a Washington family had lost a father around Christmas, she gave up her presents to comfort the mourning children. Dr. Boone later remarked, “It gratified me, at her age to have her demonstrate her philanthropic disposition, which she has maintained throughout her life,” and whether acquired or born with that quality, he noted, “She was always most thoughtful of other people.”

It makes it easy to see the joy with which the President and First Lady both gave and received gifts, especially when Suzanne was concerned. When she gave them a carving knife and fork set (and cookies for good measure), Grace relayed the President’s playful doubt whether he had anything left to cut. Mrs. Coolidge shared her answer with Suzanne: If nothing else, “he can cut peas with it.” The next day (December 28, 1926), the President wrote his thanks to Suzanne, saying, “The Christmas cookies which you sent to me were all that you said of them in your note and you can be sure that they were much enjoyed.” The previous Christmas produced this note to Suzanne from Grace:

  For Suzanne’s dolly. An elderly lady made this quilt for me and Santa Claus and I knew that she would like to have Suzanne use it to keep her dolly warm this cold wintry weather. There are not enough squares to tell Suzanne how much Mrs. Coolidge loves her. Merry Christmas.

Dr. Boone became an older brother and confidante for the Coolidge boys too. He accompanied the boys almost daily during their Christmas break from school, especially Calvin Jr. Tragically, it proved his only Christmas at the White House. The boys came to relish their horseback rides through Rock Creek Zoo.

Without the Boones and the closely knit inner circle of extended Coolidge family, Christmas in the years to come would not have been as rich. We are shaped not only by the families in which we are born but also by the families which form by choice and circumstance. Without, however, that highest debt paid for us and which we owe everyone — selfless love — can Christmas be said to live, truly, in each of us?

A Merry Christmas to all this 2023!