Tis the season...

So the season of good will is upon us once again. The one time of the year when we can all be the people we would like to be for the rest of the year. The chance to release that inner child caged within us all and let them out to play, we start thinking about others more, we dance more, we kiss more, and we celebrate life in a manner so often foreign to us throughout the proceeding months.
We not only decorate our houses but our streets, our towns, villages and cities. For a few days of the year life is covered in glitter and sparkles and for most of us the darker, shadowy areas of life are tucked away out of site and ignored.
We all aim for that Hollywood movie Christmas that floods our cinemas and TV screens this time of year. For the glitz and glamour, the happy families, the miracles and magic, the wonder and spectacle of a Christmas adorned with every person’s fulfilled dreams and aspirations.

I adore this time of year and am sucked into the full spectacle. I love the songs on the radio, the Santa’s on the street collecting for charities, the traditions, the carol singers moving from door to door, hot mince pies, naff novelty Christmas ties and jumpers, I have even been known to roast a chestnut or two on an open fire. I love getting dressed for the cold, wrapping up in numerous jumpers, scarves, woolly hats and gloves and should we be lucky enough go and play in the snow. There is something very special about being the first to walk across pure virginal snow, the gentle crush under foot, the sound each step makes as you cross the white blanket laid so delicately in front of you. What’s even better is then returning home and defrosting by a roaring log fire. With a hot glass of mulled wine and a mince pie as the outside chill retreats from you once more.

This is the time of year when you can’t help but make life that little bit more special. It is a time of memories old and anew, a time to be spent with those that you love, a time to be enjoyed and cherished and a time to also remember those that may no longer be with us. Savour every moment, moments that will become new memories and keepsakes for years to come. One day when times are not so bright, warm and cheery you can look back and warm your heart on the coals of your reminiscences.

I even like to go shopping at this time of the year, which is unheard of; I normally avoid busy shopping centres. We should all stop and smell the roses during the year, but at Christmas we should stop and smell the roasting chestnuts, listen to the songs being sung by a choir, don’t just hustle passed them in your quest to obtain the latest must have for little Timmy, stop for a minute or two. Breathe in the Christmas spirit that hangs in the air like a crisp misty morn. We can all too easily become excessively occupied and fail to recognise those special moments we are all searching for that help to create this magical time. On Christmas morning take the time out amongst all the excitement, hustle and bustle to just stop and watch your family and loved ones. Watch your children’s faces as they open their gifts or when they find that the mince pie, carrot and glass of Sherry left out for Santa have been eaten and drunk. These are the precious times in our lives that we need to cherish and protect from the evils of this world. These precious times must be locked away in the vaults of our minds, more valued than gold and silver, safe from the pollution of the world’s propaganda and villainy. True wealth should be measured in the smiles we have put on other peoples faces and in those that we have received.

So to one and all, may the season bring you the wealth you truly deserve. May your heart be warmed by the wonder of the hour and the magic of the moment.

Merry Christmas.