I am thinking at this Christmas time about what makes people happy. Some look for it in material things. Some look for happiness in physical pleasure. Some hope to find it in intellectual pursuits, while others look to fitness and keeping the body beautiful. A certain degree of happiness or at least satisfaction can be found in these things but Christmas reminds us where true happiness lies. I think it is found in the God who became man and who was born into humble surroundings over 2000 thousand years ago.
I think that it is somewhat ironic that we humans have turned Christmas into such a complicated event and yet a part of me is glad at the fuss, for such a wonderful time absolutely needs to be celebrated. We have had a hard time of things this year. The economy is in a mess, there have been natural disasters in Pakistan and Haiti. We have been rocked by our own earthquake, the West Coast has been torn apart first by a horrific plane crash at Franz Joseph and then by the tragic mine disaster. Lives were lost with the sinking of a fishing boat off our waters a few days ago. There is no joy to be found in any of this. And then along comes Christmas.
We may be tired, we may be sad but I think we must celebrate. This for me, it is the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. What a wonderful mystery to tell our children and those we love.
Happy Christmas to all. I hope that you find true happiness.