Christmas Contemplation

At every stage of my life Christmas has been the happiest season; and I don't need to look very far to figure out the reasons. Christmas encompasses many of the things that I think of as good: sharing, togetherness, family, celebrating - simple pleasures we've all understood. A pervasive aura of good will and giving, with smiles and laughter - faces shine. For a short time at least only friendliness prevails, peace and kindness, a world benign. In a world where things are increasingly tense, Christmas may not, at times, make much sense. But there's one thing about it where I have no doubt: Christmas is something the world can't do without.