This Marvel stocking stuffer not only features a very poignant short story about Captain America by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake—who collaborated on a fantastic Spectre run earlier in the decade, as well as much other amazing work by each—but also a beautiful George Pérez cover (as you see to the right or above).
The tale opens with this ominous splash page, the words and picture reminiscent of a certain caped crusader, and context very close to Americop’s mission in Captain America #428-430, out at the same time.
When he locates the child traffickers, Cap suddenly remembers being there before…
…although he does not have time right now to dwell on the past.
Again, he knows he must rely on stealth, which is not easy when you’re wearing bright red, white, and blue (although staying in the shadows does help).
When he does take a chance to think back, he remembers the first time he met his grandfather, whom he understandably mistakes for someone else.
Gramps clears up any confusion before we are brought back to the present day, with Cap reflecting on the fine man his grandfather was…
…and we learn why when our hero remembers a hidden entrance to the farmhouse with a very important history, not just for his family but for the country in general.
In what is the most Batman-ish panel in the entire story, Cap swears on his grandfather’s grave to fight crime and protect Gotham America.
Seriously, though, I find it extremely heartwarming that Steve’s predecessors passed down the importance of principles such as liberty, not just in words but in action, expressed through duty. I believe this was the first mention of any of Steve’s family other than his parents—and very little was revealed about them either at this point—and can be seen as a noble effort to plant Steve Rogers’ family tree in the historical ground of America (as Jack Kirby did with the Revolutionary-era Captain Rogers in Captain America #194 and Bicentennial Battles). Unfortunately, this does not hold together with the recent emphasis on both of Steve’s parents being Irish immigrants (unless some of their elders came to America ahead of them and fought in the Civil War and helped with emancipation).
When Cap finally bursts in, he makes quick work of two of the kidnappers, but the third has a bead on him from above, and only the sharp eye and quick reaction of the abducted child saves the day…
…although the narrator leaves open the possibility that Cap would have taken out the gunman anyway. (Spoilsport.)
After all is said and done, Cap becomes despondent over the symbolism of this episode, especially considering where it happened—but once again, the kid comes to the rescue, wide-eyed and grateful, and begins to restore Cap’s hope for better days to come.
ISSUE DETAILS
Marvel Holiday Special 1994, January 1995, “A Midnight Clear”: John Ostrander (writer), Tom Mandrake (pencils and inks), Joe Andreani (colors), Brad Joyce (letters). (More details at Marvel Database.)
Not yet collected.
THE VIRTUES OF CAPTAIN AMERICA 
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