Monday, December 24, 2007

All Is Calm, All Is Bright.

It's Christmas Eve, 2007, and I just wanted to wish everyone who reads this blog a merry Christmas. My wife and I always spend it here in the city. We see a movie in the afternoon (today it was National Treasure: Book of Secrets, which was an okay little movie for the season). We had people over after that to talk, laugh, drink, and be merry, and there'll be more company tonight and more of the same, I'm sure. Its probably my favorite night of the year. As Bill Murray says in "Scrooged" (love that movie), it's the one night of the year we all act a little nicer and treat each other a little better. Maybe that's a generalization, but as generalizations go, I like that one.

From my home office window, I can see the lights shimmering in windows of other people's homes, a few lonely cars stream by, and the melting snow glistens like frosting on a cake. The whole world seems to be slowing down and it will stay that way for a few hours. For a few hours, the world will be perfect. Hopefully, somewhere, the violence will stop, the burglaries will pause, and the singing will rise to a heartfelt anthem in some far-off countryside church. I wish it were so more often.

Merry Christmas to you all, whatever your situation, whatever your beliefs. I hope this night finds you with someone you love, having everything you need to be happy. If your situation is otherwise, then I hope you can find some peace and comfort not just now, but for most days to come because Christmas doesn't change your life; it illuminates it for what it is.

For now, though, the weary world rejoices. Merry Christmas.

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