By Ralphine Major

“She understands the true meaning,” I said as I heard her say without hesitation that her family would still have Christmas even if they had no presents. It was Christmas Eve, and the lady in the news had lost her home—a victim of the many deadly tornadoes that hit our nation during the Christmas holidays. It has been a year filled with heartbreaking loss. Mother Nature’s disasters of ice and snow storms, floods, tornadoes, and fires claimed their share of lives both young and old. Violence, also, claimed way too many precious lives.

As the calendar closed on another Christmas, it has been wonderful to hear so many “Merry Christmas” wishes from store clerks, cashiers, strangers, and people from all walks of life. Because of Christmas, we can have the hope and promise of a new year as well as new life in Christ. Perhaps this will be a year that all mankind will show more love toward one another. Perhaps more of us will put into practice the lyrics of Glen Campbell’s hit song, “Try a Little Kindness.”

Perhaps more of us will be guided by the words of Galations 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (KJV).

May we all say a prayer that our year will be filled with peace, love, and joy. HAPPY NEW YEAR!