In a word or nine, without intention to offend anyone, I want to say to everyone: Have a great day or even a great season!

I am planning to have many more. A single word makes it so. “Immanuel.” Translated, that one word actually becomes four — “God be with us.”

Noting that I write this on the first day of winter in 2007, with the celebration of Christmas still three days away. Knowing that my words will not be read before then, I am inclined to point out that it is accepted as fact that Christmas comes but once a year, it is welcome to stay all year long.

However, ever since Joseph, Mary and their newborn baby had to flee to Egypt from the scene of that first Christmas, it seems that we are inclined to be in a hurry to sweep away the many joys of Christmas with the ripped gift wrapping paper, eager to return to the hectic pace of modern life.

I have put together a line of Christmas Gift Stockings to be hung by the fireplace where they may go unnoticed while the major gift items are getting all of the early oohs! and aahs! One stocking will contain simple peace and goodwill to all men, especially members of the family. A cluster of stockings in groups of 12, 52, and 365 could contain a full year of months, weeks and days that are open for full enjoyment if we could only spare the time.

While the choirs of angels are calling us to rejoice and offer joy to the world, we might gather up some simple stocking stuffers to be used when we are inclined to feel that daily joy is too elusive to shine over the bits of darkness that are sprinkled over us.

If we allow our eyes to wander away from the dark side, we may discover hundreds or thousands of little things that make us happy but too often taken for granted — moods that can change us for the better, peals of laughter, walking in the woods, cheerful celebrations.

The tonic of a puppy’s wagging tail, an ice cream cone, a firm handshake, babies, discounts and rebates, greeting cards, pleasant phone calls, live marching band music, last-second sport victories, happy surprise news, books, movies, plays and stirring speeches. Cracker Jack, comfy old sweaters, old and new friends, funny stories and jokes. Firemen and policemen, snow, windmills, birds, uncontrolled bursts of laughter.

Fluttering butterflies landing near you, good medical reports, driving in the country, favorite meals, vacations, shooting stars, pleasant sales clerks, memories, stepping out and just relaxing.
Come to think about it, there is so much good right around us everyday, why can’t we celebrate Christmas everyday — and twice on Sunday? Perhaps it is just too much for us to comprehend, IMMANUEL!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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