We are in the Advent Season. The Christian religion begins with the lighting of the first of four candles symbolizing the season of hope. We are also in the Jewish season of Hanukkah in which multiple candles re lit over an eight day period. And we are also in the Muslim period of Eid. Each has its own rituals and can seem very similar to each other. Although they may seem different, there are many similarities. All three focus on family.
The helping of less fortunate, the sharing of food with friends and relatives and the spirituality of their faiths. As we approach the coming year, it is a time to look back on the past 12 months and reflect what has been good in our lives. We can also look back and see what has been troubling in our lives and the lives of friends.
Around Fort Frances and the district homes are being lit with light warding off the darkness of the year. We will pass the longest night on Sunday and then our days will begin growing once again. The darkness of the year disappears through the Christmas season bringing joy and laughter. And by the new year we hope that love is blossoming. The lights on homes may disappear, but the joy of the new year and the excitement of new opportunities removes the bleakness of winter.
We are in a period of changing times and those changing times bring new challenges to overcome. Just as the COVID crisis only a few short years ago, brought changes to our lives and world, so too will the coming years. We can’t predict what we will see and hear in the next few years, but we can be optimistic.
We can look forward to the future with hope and understanding. We can dream that our future will see the elimination of hate and the ceasing of war and peace will break out. We can dream that the hunger of so many will disappear. We can be optimistic that good things will happen in our community and our lives.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
