Merry Christmas

(Written By Hennessy)

Perhaps it should have been prefaced, “Once upon a time, long ago.” Maybe even “as the story goes” might have sufficed as its beginning.

Those lines are for fables and fiction. This story, not of fiction, not of folklore, but of truth, has passed on from those who were there that night in Bethlehem. This is the very essence of just how we are to celebrate this time of the year. It has taken on many shapes and forms, but it still has the same core meaning we all wish to capture in life.

This is the story of hope, love and peace.

I have never been to Bethlehem, nor have I crossed the sands of Galilee. I cannot begin to imagine the journey that was to take place in order to deliver this Savoir, this man who was already to be called Jesus. I do know however, that on that night, that most silent of nights, the holy spirit came to be in a manger with the animals as witnesses to watch the hand of God see that his Son be delivered to us all. A lone star shining in the darkness of the desert provided the light to the manger where the magi assembled to bring gifts to the newborn King. They knelt at his feet, and glory be to the newborn rang true throughout the tiny manger. This night, there in the cold, a miracle amongst mankind was under that magic star. Perhaps today, we see stars and think to ourselves; where is my miracle.

As I said, this is the story of love, hope and peace. This is also what Christmas is as well. On this day, we shall not find under the adorned trees that grace our homes any of those three things (love, hope, peace) as a wrapped present. They are wishes of ours, beliefs we hold in our hearts and souls that we pray we never lose, or that we pray we obtain, should they not be with us just yet. All of them represent the essence of who we are as a people. I find it rather humbling to seek these three magical elements of life. So precious they are, so fragile and in an instant can be gone should we not guard them with care. It is a blessing to us all that we have them with us and let their meaning guide us just as the star did for the Wise men. I hope that you have love, hope and peace, and hold them closely, never letting them out of your thoughts.

Love. This is an emotion we extend to those we care for. Our families mostly are the receivers of this. Acts of kindness not provoked, but rather given freely as we love those that matter most to us in our lives. While the sands of time permit us to be together in life, tell those that make you who you are that you love them because one day, the hourglass of time shall have not a grain of sand left and time and love shall have slipped away.
Hope. Perhaps this is what we desire daily. We use that word an awful lot in life, and when it appears in spoken word or thoughts, we overextend its true meaning. To all of you, I so hope from my heart, that all of you have a blessed Christmas together with family; the ones we love the most in life. I hope over your homes that day, that your star shines, and that your miracles take place.

Peace. The last of the three holiday spirits. Let it visit you this day. Let peace be in your hearts, your souls and in your homes. May the hand of heaven hold yours and let you know that peace and kindness on this day shall be yours to have and to hold. May serenity and tranquility rain down upon you and those that matter most to you in your lives.

Permit me to take this time and opportunity to extend wishes to you all in hopes that you on this most magical of days experience the love, hope and peace that you so all deserve. May the beauty that is this day be with you all and that you experience in the love of this season of giving and receiving. Let these blessings be with you this Christmas, and forever and always.

There's more, much more, to Christmas than candlelight and cheer; it's the spirit of sweet friendship that brightens all year. It's thoughtfulness and kindness; it's hope reborn again, for peace, for understanding, and for goodwill to men.

From our home to yours my friends, a very blessed and Merry Christmas day to you all. God bless.

Peace.