“Tradition, which is always old, is at the same time ever new because it is always reviving,” the religious philosopher Thomas Merton once wrote. “Born again in each new generation, to be lived and applied in a new and particular way.”
And so it was this year with the annual lighting of the 90-foot Christmas tree at Fashion Island. The retail mall ushered in the season with the usual lights and man-made “snow” flurries. But a new tradition was also born: Instead of standard Disney razzle-dazzle entertainment, The Young Americans previewed their holiday production hit, “The Magic of Christmas.” It seemed fitting that the 50-year-old nonprofit supporting music education for kids brought the yuletide cheer to Fashion Island, which is getting ready to celebrate its own 50 years starting in January.
