How David Sedaris became a Christmas writer—and how he started writing stories about the holiday that are so dark that sometimes it seems that he's trying to singlehandedly destroy Christmas. We hear from members of David's own family, and from David, all of whom insist that David loves Christmas. (7 minutes)

Act One. Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol.

David Sedaris reads this story. A high-powered theater critic applies his critical skills to the Christmas pageants at local elementary schools. (8 minutes)

Act Two. Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!

Julia Sweeney reads this story. She's a former Saturday Night Live cast member, and star of the sad and comic memoir of life with cancer, God Said, "Ha!," which played on Broadway. The story is an annual Christmas letter from the Dunbars: Clifford, Jocelyn, Kevin, Jacki, Kyle and Khe Sahn. (17 minutes)

Act Three. Based on a True Story.

A Hollywood TV producer tries to convince a church of evangelical Christians to sell out a member of their own congregation. Matt Malloy reads. He was one of the stars of the acclaimed independent film In the Company of Men. Also in this act: Dickens vs. Sedaris. Dickens scholar John Jordan compares the Christmas stories of Charles Dickens (who wrote one nearly every year from 1843 through 1867) and David Sedaris. (24 minutes)