"Love one another as I have loved you". Jesus Christ' message to the world, even though he was humiliated, tortured, persecuted and killed by his own people". He didn't give a message of hate or violence. His message was and still is one of peace and love.
It is Christmas once more, the most wonderful time of the year. A time of peace and love. I love the true spirit of Christmas. The kindness and love in people who know the true meaning of the word. Christmas feels clean and full of possibilities. It gives us hope and peace.
I am just home from Midnight mass, where we had a beautiful service including a Carol Service.
I have all the preparation done for tomorrow. We'll get up early and ramble down to the sitting room to open our presents. Then we'll sit and chat by the fire, I love the fire lighting and the lovely glow and atmosphere it creates. It is gas, I might add, it looks real, but with none of the mess. We'll sit enjoying each other's company and the pleasure at being given the perfect gift. We all make a special effort to ensure that our presents are a surprise and something each of us wants.
I have always tried to make Christmas morning magical and special, even long after the children had grown up and left home. They still stay over each year, so far, long may it last, and Christmas morning is exciting once more.
We all love Christmas, With the house beautifully decorated and twinkling lights everywhere creating a magical feel around the house. The crib, the story of the baby Jesus, the Carols, the stockings hanging on the mantlepiece. The smell of the honey roasted Ham always done on Christmas Eve so that it's ready to eat and cooked for Christmas dinner to join the Roast Turkey. The freshly baked mince pies and the trifle. The presents wrapped and under the tree. Carols and lovely stories on my favourite Christmas television specials from RTE and Kings College, Cambridge. Wonderful!
I love the old films like "It's a wonderful life", a good Bette Davis like "The man who came to dinner". Miracle on 34th Street and A classical Charles Dickens or similar type. It all adds to the festivities and really keeps you in the Christmas spirit. Hopefully one or two of my favourites will be shown sometime over Christmas this year.
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
S.
