Dear Sir,

Here we are again about to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year — that is, of course, if you believe in the incarnation that teaches most emphatically the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We accept that all do not believe this incredible story of the bright star in the sky, the angelic host making the proclamation “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth goodwill toward men”.

For those of us who do, it is a magical and wondrous time indeed, which culminates the year end with carols and great Christmas music.

What an event of gastronomic access and friendly fellowship when we are able, generally speaking, to be a little bit nicer and more neighbourly.

How grand it is when the warm and fuzzy feelings we have for each other is not rebuffed as corny and pretentious but embraced as the stuff that makes life worth living.

How we enjoy reliving our childhood vicariously through our offspring and, most preciously, our grandchildren.

The fact that this comes around once a year makes the celebration inadequate for the temporary infectious euphoria that we all crave far more often than just annually.

Let us not forget the smells of a succulent bird in the oven, the baked pies and cakes that fool your nose into thinking it can taste. The air is also full of scented soaps, colognes and perfumes that freshen the room in a most inviting way.

The story of a mean-spirited, selfish old miser — who has spent his life pursuing the acquisition of wealth on the backs of the least fortunate and the destitute — and his eventual redemption has the most poignant effect on us all at this time of year.

Indeed, Charles Dickens’s Ebenezer Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol, and his visit by three spirits is viewed for the umpteenth time as though we are hearing it or seeing it for the very first time. How good is that?

Our enjoyment is heightened by the fact that Christmas is a paid public holiday along with Boxing Day, provided by our employers with little thought given to this generous gift that most of us enjoy to the fullest. That is another reason to sing the refrain “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”.

Family fences that need repairing stand a good chance of success during this festival of well wishing that can bring out the best in all of us with a little bit of effort.

Jolly old St Nick enters centrestage replete with his scarlet and white suit, the most pristine white beard and rosy cheeks.

He has the most amazing affection for children, with a bag bursting at the seams with toys and goodies.

Our homes come alive with red and green lights that strobe with a dazzling feast for the visual appetite to absorb and enjoy during this festive event that stands alone in its majesty.

A tree becomes the centrepiece in the most prominent room of the house, imagine that! Trees live outside and normally do not enjoy lavish decorations placed on their branches for the adoring glances of everyone. But this is Christmas and it is marvellous indeed.

Christmas is family and good friends enjoying one another. It speaks to generous giving, it reminds us of the indigent in our society, it brings God’s story to man, captures our imagination and teaches us about the love of God for man through the birth of his son, the baby Jesus, welcomed by shepherds, angels and the wise men.

The heavenly host proclaimed peace on earth and goodwill to men, in God’s time we will have just that.

A very merry Christmas to all and to all a good life.

WAYNE B SCOTT