Christmas Greetings

As December 25 is just around the corner, I want to take the opportunity to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and offer my best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy, prosperous and healthy new year.

I found a quote I’d like to share. Its from Longfellow’s Christmas Bells.

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet, the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men.”

The mention of carols playing drew me to this snippet. Everywhere you go carols are blasting across the airwaves until, if you are like me, you can’t wait for the season to pass. But we shouldn’t forget what Christmas is all about. Every carol contains a message. Some we don’t notice any more because the words have become so hackneyed. But taking a moment to listen to the words will soon remind us. I have to keep this in mind as I’m forced to listen to yet another bunch of carols.

Here in New Zealand, Christmas welcomes the beginning of our summer holidays. Beaches, barbeques and bumming around with friends and family. For some, like my family, there will be sadness as well joy as we celebrate our Lord’s birth minus our beloved matriarch. That symbolic empty chair at the head of our table will take some getting past but we will manage.

I wish you happiness and good health. May you have the strength to overcome any adversity you might be facing.  Don’t forget to look for the beauty in the smallest things around you. But most of all, I trust you will be filled with and surrounded by love this coming season. May we truly have peace on earth and goodwill to (wo)men. Christmas greetings to you all.

God Bless