For many people in the UK and elsewhere, today is the last working day before Christmas Day which falls on a Monday this year. I've spent most of today wrapping up work-related matters in order to have a clean slate, as it were, for the fast-approaching Christmas break. Like many of you, I'll be largely in rest and relaxation mode until the first week of January in the New Year. Christmas is a time to reflect on the wider matters that concern us, beyond the daily trials and tribulations we … [Read more...] about Goodwill 2017
Christmas
Goodwill 2014
Greater love and understanding for other people - these aren't bad sentiments this Christmas 2014 when you consider some of the recent events that have caused such grief and anguish around the world. "Peace and goodwill to all men," is a verse in the King James Bible often quoted at this time of year. While there may be precious little going on in the world to encourage belief in the meaning of that phrase, it only needs each of us to practice its meaning for it to make a difference. As … [Read more...] about Goodwill 2014
Happy Christmas
Recorded in 1972 as a protest song about the Vietnam War, the lyrics of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" resonate powerfully today, too, especially when set against the backdrop of the imagery in this YouTube video. So, this is Christmas And what have you done? Another year over And a new one just begun And so this is Christmas I hope you have fun The near and the dear one The old and the young A very merry Christmas And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one Without … [Read more...] about Happy Christmas
Christmas cheer 2008
That’s one way of looking at a Christmas wish, I suppose. As we approach the end of a troubled year, staring recession in the face, it is worth keeping in mind that this Christmas won’t be one of cheer and hope for some people. For others, let’s keep our cynicism shiny and polished as Santa Claus would wish! These messages come courtesy of Someecards.com, an e-greetings site I encountered a few months ago, which is so spot on in its contemporary humour. I don’t plan on posting here … [Read more...] about Christmas cheer 2008