Merry Christmas, And A Happy New Year!

Well, 2010 is almost over. A lot has gone on this year, some good, some bad. But we made it through, and look toward 2011 to see what the New Year brings.

But wait - I am getting ahead of myself. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate Christmas. May this holy time warm your hearts, soothe your souls, bring you joy, and peace.

In honor of Christmas, I have a couple of videos I want to share with you. The first is a heart-warming tale of a family reunited for the holidays:



Sweet, isn't it? Of course, we figure the one kid on the left was mad because his brother got to talk, but still, how cool is that? I cannot imagine the joy for those boys to have their dad home for the holidays, as well as other families whose loved ones are returning from being in theater overseas. What a true gift, a wonderful blessing.

Sadly, though, too many families will be celebrating without family members who are serving in our armed services, including my niece and her four children. It is a hard time of year for families not to be able to be together, but the families at home do all they can to make the holidays as happy as possible for their children (or for the siblings, parents, all family members) of those deployed. My heart goes out to them.

And for those still deployed, thank you for your service. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to be apart from your families at this time. Please know you are not forgotten.

The second video I want to share with you is a beautiful Beth Nielsen Chapman song that seems appropriate for the occasion, and which includes Emmy Lou Harris singing with Nielsen Chapman:



And this is one of my all-time favorite Christmas hymns:



May your Christmas be merry and bright.

I wish for you a happy New Year with a tune to which only the wonderful group Abba can do justice:



I will be out of the country until the beginning of the New Year. I wish you and yours a safe, happy, peaceful holiday season. Many blessings...