I got into the Christmas spirit on the 17th of December thanks to a text from a friend. I hadn’t expected or planned on attending St. Joe’s Christmas Concert.
In today’s complicated world it was refreshing to be around children and people whose main concern is the growth and talent of children.
I wasn’t the only one teary-eyed as we watched the young children perform with pride and sincerity. We could tell that they were well-rehearsed, confident and they had fun.
I didn’t know a single child there but it gave joy to my world when I saw a parent waving to a child on stage or heard a little brother or sister hollering to their sibling as they walked onto the stage.
I grew up in Richmond and one of our family traditions was to take a drive and look at the Christmas lights. Mom would source out the good ones, perhaps even from The Province or the Vancouver Sun. Candy Cane Lane stands out as a destination. Hot chocolate and marshmallows would finish off a night of magic.
Christmas Day has traditionally been a family day. Boxing Day has been part of our Canadian and British Commonwealth tradition since 1871.
One of the rumours is that the day after Christmas the aristocrats would send gifts home with their staff. The other suggestion I read is that the church would gather and tally up the alms collected. The day after Christmas they would give them to the poor.
I hear friends talk about collecting for food hampers or driving and passing them out. We do it now before Christmas. The suggested admission for St. Joe’s concert was food for the hampers. In all the affluence we have in our community, the thought in our hearts is this is a time for giving.
Whatever our wealth and status, whatever our countries of origins, whatever our creeds, religions or doctrines, we are all in this together – and that has power.
Best wishes one and all for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2025.
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