"I often think that one of life's greatest sadness's must be to wake up on Christmas morning and remember that you are not a child anymore. I have always loved Christmas time and always will, especially when it snows. I remember one Christmas Day when I was 9 years old and it started snowing heavily. There was simply no keeping me indoors. I went in the back garden and I made a snowman. After three hours of building, my 8-year-old sister Mary came outside and knocked it down. I was furious, so I knocked her down and then, we had a super tea.
As a Christian, Christmas is the day when the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated in our household, and whether one is a believer or not, if Christmas is to mean anything of lasting substance, it should involve sharing with others and taking a promise of hope from the newborn star. Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our love and blessings, all the snow that the heavens can send down will not make it white.
One of the most generous people I ever knew was my mother, who would give her last penny to any tramp and her precious time to anyone who needed it. She never gave less of herself than was asked for, or ever expected more from another than could be given. My mother gave her respect to everyone she met, not because they had earned it, but because she thought they deserved it. My mother would tell me, 'Billy, look to your heart for Christmas. You'll never find it under a tree.'
Christmas is the road home to your family, friends, neighbours, and your God. It is that special time of year when there is a natural wish to renew contact with all those people who mean so much to you. Sheila and I wish you all a merry Christmas. May happiness and generosity of spirit come to you all in abundance: and those, for whom this festive season still holds a tinge of sadness because of the loss of a dearly departed whose anniversary occurs around this time, may you find the strength to experience this special day in peaceful reflection and loving remembrance. My very first task before preparing today's post was to send birthday greetings to my facebook contacts whose birthday is today. What a wonderful day to be born. Merry Christmas all. Love and peace. Bill xxx" William Forde: December 25th, 2016