I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year 2012!

This is always a special time of year. Its significance is different for all of us. But there is a  common thread.

This is a time for reflection; a time to be with family and loved ones; a time to pause and think about our lives and how we live them; a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and to rejoice.

I am reminded of the beautiful poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, who, in 1877 wrote, in the opening lines of God’s Grandeur:

The world is charged with the
grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from
shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the
ooze of oil 

Crushed.

But above all, for me, this is a time to think about our fellow man; to consider those who may be less fortunate than us; and to reach out and support them. It is a time to think of others, to help others; and to reinforce our sense of community. It is a time to celebrate our good fortune; and to support and lift up those around us.

I have always believed that we get the greatest satisfaction from helping others. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful environment; and in a welcoming and hospitable community.  Like any community, we face challenges and we need to find courage to deal with those challenges. But we are also blessed and we need to appreciate those blessings. What better way to do that at this special time of year than by helping others around us in our community?

Merry Christmas.