Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

The quote treats Christmas as a metaphorical “magic wand,” suggesting that the season changes perception as much as circumstances. Peale implies that the holiday’s rituals—gathering, giving, music, religious observance—can temporarily re-enchant ordinary life, making people more tender toward one another and more receptive to beauty. In keeping with his broader message, the “magic” is less supernatural than psychological and moral: a shift in attitude that makes the world feel gentler. The line also hints at Christmas as a social corrective, encouraging empathy and reconciliation by inviting people to see familiar realities through a softened lens.