The Tribune

TOMORROW is Christmas — the day that Christ was born.

Translated into human terms, Christmas is a time of unconditional love. It is our hope that as we reach out to our family and loved ones, we shall never forget the real meaning of Jesus’ birth. It was a birth that taught us that as a human family we should not forget to find kindness and understanding for those less fortunate than ourselves.

God “so loved the world that He gave us His Only Begotten Son” not only to save us, but to teach us how to love one another.

There are those who recognize Jesus as a wise prophet. However, as Christians we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That He came down from Heaven to teach us commandments by which we should live our lives: To live in love, truth, forgiveness, and service to our fellow man so that we will one day be at one with Him.

While Christmas may be a a deeply religious time, Christmas “is not a time, nor a season, but a state of mind,” said Calvin Coolidge. “To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

For most of us Christmas will consist of celebrating midnight Mass, singing Carols, Christmas lunch with family, holiday events and, of course, that much prepared for Junkanoo! Howeverm this year Christmas takes on a special meaning. For the unthinkable violence that headlines our news day-in and day-out cruelly robbing families of their loved ones in our beloved Bahamaland – and indeed two of our Tribune family – Christmas will only serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life, the pain, suffering, and that words at times like these, fail to convey the tremendous sense of loss that our Bahamian families endure. For the families of the innocent children whose lives were erased in the senseless evil of the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, the meaning of Christmas will never be the same. For those who have lost their jobs, their savings and their homes as the debt crisis here at home and around the world continues, we pray that Christmas will still provide each and everyone with a renewed sense of peace, hope, love and life.

Mother Teresa once said that “Christmas is every time you let God love others through you…yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” And so we would like to offer and endorse the Christmas gift suggestions of Oren Arnold

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To your opponents, tolerence.

To your friend, your heart.

To your customer, service

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect and love.

We pray that our political figures sincerely come to terms with the words of Winston Churchill: “It would be a great reform in politics if wisdom could be made to spread as easily and rapidly as folly! For what is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”

We also hope that our countrymen and women come to terms with these wise words: “There are three stages in a man’s life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, and then he is Santa Claus.” And for our women if anyone believes that men are their equal, then they clearly have never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present!

On behalf of the People’s Paper, The Tribune family wish our readers, our clients and our opponents a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

And may the Spirit of Christmas be as special and unique as the day Christ was born to save us from ourselves.