The Spirit of Christmas
Published December 2, 2011
Christmas is almost upon us again and another year recedes into the halls of memory. I truly hope that this past year has been a good one for you and your families. We live in uncertain times given the overall state of the world economy and though Canada and Alberta seem to be weathering it well, the economy hangs over us like the Sword of Damocles. The County, I would say is in good shape overall, far better than many, many places in the world.
As we go about Christmas this year, we will meet family and friends, give and receive gifts and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Regrettably, Christmas only comes for one day a year. Imagine your lives and the world around us if the spirit of Christmas prevailed every day of the year. As Louis Armstrong sang, “What a wonderful world this would be”.
One thing we all have is a choice. As Christmas comes I would ask you all to ponder what is really important in life. Events of the past year in my life have made it crystal clear - what is important and what is missed the most. Some years ago I attended a presentation put on by an FBI criminal profiler and what he said was profound. He asked us all, on average how many people mourn you for a period of longer than two weeks when you die? The answer is three. He then asked us what the three most important things in life are. He said God, yourself, your family and then your work. God’s importance is self evident. Yourself is not from a narcissistic point of view but to look after yourself so that you are there for your first responsibility, your family.
Once Christmas and its adjoining holiday period is over, we seem to slip back into the time warp of the world around us. We go back to our hurried and frenzied lifestyles and the spirit of Christmas fades into the past. Work drives and compels us, time seems to evaporate and usually left out of all this is our personal relationships with our wife, family, friends and relatives. It has been said that when we are on our deathbed we do not say that we wish we had spent another day at the office and perhaps only then, realize the value of family and friends. I must confess I am perhaps no different.
As Christmas comes, I would ask you to reflect on what is truly valuable in life. As we go about life we are always waiting for the Station. As Robert Hastings said in his poem “The Station” generally is your promotion, a new car, the kids leaving home and many other things. The problem is the station never comes; the true joy of life is the journey. Let us then make it a journey to remember. Give yourself and your family a gift that will reverberate throughout the year. Date your wife, buy her flowers, tell her you love her, book time for your children and tell them you love them also, and take a day to rest.
we make that journey we will face challenges. No matter how hard the challenge, God has said he will never leave us or forsake us. Over 2000 years ago God sent his only son Jesus, to this earth so that if we believe in him and trust him, all things are possible. I truly hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and may God richly bless you and your families, both now and in the coming year.
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
Peter.Wlodarczak@strathcona.ca.
Last updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Page ID: 8630