Dear Friend of CHARIAD:

I hope that you find my occasional updates interesting. Like you, I will pause over the Christmas Season to spend time with friends and family.

These lyrics come to mind.
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

Two couples – close friends – just had their first child. The birth of a baby on a cold night with stars above is part of my thinking about Christmas – Wonder, Joy, Fragile, Love, Tender, Sleep in Peace.

Office holiday parties, TV commercials, buying presents, travel to visit family, silly sweaters, Christmas trees, shopping at malls and piles of Amazon boxes are all part of this season. I hope we can find time to pause and think about what is most important in our lives – probably our family and friends.

In each of our lives, we experience hope, sadness, frustration, excitement, disappointment, exhilaration, laughter, love and much more. Christmas encourages us to wonder at our creation – the birth of a child. And we are reminded how fragile our lives are and encouraged to connect with what is authentically important to us.

christmas tree in small boat at low tide
Please accept my best wishes for you and your family as you find and cherish the joy in your life.

These holiday images from my world are my Christmas gift to you.

Best wishes,

Rick