Merry Christmas to All My Readers

A Christmas Day is almost upon us, I’m taking a moment to quickly reflect what the day means to me. The birth of Our Saviour is the greatest reason to celebrate but alongside this I also see tomorrow as a day to be thankful for other blessings bestowed on me. I am indeed fortunate to have a large and loving family which continues to expand with the arrival of grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews. While we are often separately by miles, and sometimes oceans, Christmas is a time that we share the loving bond between us no matter whether we are physically together or not. It is a time to forget minor arguments or disagreements and concentrate on the happiness and joy we can bring to each other as a family.

This year, our ‘immediate’ family celebration of togetherness took place a week before the official Christmas Day, but the sentiments and pleasure of being together, of sharing fine food and gifts was none the less as exciting and emotional as it could ever be. While two of my children share tomorrow with their in-laws, and one lives too far away to join us, my husband, son and I will likely spend a rather quiet, lazy day of contemplation. I’ve definitely enjoyed the last few days, with no pressure of shopping for presents and groceries, planning and preparing as much of the main Christmas Dinner beforehand and generally going crazy alongside everyone else in the shopping malls. I’m tempted to suggest we hold “Christmas Day” a week early every year.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my best wishes to you all. Whether you are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ or not, may this holiday be filled with loving joy and happiness. May you be surrounded, at least in thought, by those you love and cherish and may He keep you safe and well. God Bless you all.