December

December 2002

Dear One and All,

I have been thinking about Christmas and what happened on that day that Christ was born, wondering what the world was really like before. Was there hope in the world before? I believe so--hope for the Messiah’s coming. Did they really believe that He would come? Do we really believe that He came?

Christmas Day is hope fulfilled. That is something to celebrate. Before His birth there was hope but after His birth there is assurance that hope can and will be fulfilled, therefore, it makes a leap from just emotional yearnings to certainty.

And then there is the New Year--symbolic of new beginnings. I like closing out the old year---feeling good about the accomplishments and dumping the failures. At the end of the year, it is over---you don't have to carry the negatives with you any more. And New Year’s Day---a fresh new beginning filled with hope. There’s that word again---hope for better things, hope for better performances, hope for humanity.

The holidays---the getting together with friends and loved ones and expressing love and appreciation, sharing stories and news and good food. The gifts don't really matter except for the children and they are so easy to please.

Thanksgiving--I forgot to mention in my last letter that I am so thankful for my children--awesome miracles. I look at them in awe that I produced them---such fine beings. Surely the hand of God was in that---creation at its finest. I just wanted them to know.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all!