What if the economy, which I sometimes call “The Great American Bread Machine,” could give some much-needed Christmas presents? What if this wonderful organic process that expands, adjusts, contracts, and somehow renews itself, could pick out those most in need and send them a better payday, or a bonus? And what if this happened well before Christmas day so that those receiving the gift could make the most of it?

Well, it so happens that the economy has, in a sense, done just that.