-
Kurt Johnson
This week’s edition of the News-Register offers a special gift in the form of a giant Christmas card to the community, from the community. It’s the largest edition of the year, by far, including holiday greetings from your friends and neighbors of all ages, as well as local businesses.
This year we invited residents of Memorial Community Care and Westfield Community Care to reflect on their favorite Christmas memories and traditions. Combined with a new generation of precious letters to the big guy up north, their thoughts offer a broader perspective on the fun, unique and meaningful traditions of the holiday season. So much has changed over the years, and yet in some ways, important ways, things are very much the same.
There is a common theme for all generations, of course, and that is faith and family. We hope all of you are able to gather with and celebrate the joy of family this holiday season, which is in and of itself is a precious gift not to be taken for granted. Last year at this time many families were not able to get together in large numbers, including mine, due to the threat and unknowns of the pandemic. Vaccines have made that possible again, though sadly the COVID threat is still very much an issue. Our prayer for good health this Christmas tops the wish list for our community, state, nation and world.
We pray too that all can celebrate the reason for the season. Christmas is a time of God showing His great love for us. It is a time of healing and renewed strength, celebrated by people across faiths, a time that embodies the spirit of giving and affection that carries us throughout the year.
The greatest gift of all gives us eternal hope this year, and always.
Merry Christmas, one and all.
Kurt Johnson
