ne popular Christmas jingle has these lyrics, ?Tis the season to be jolly?.

A number of Bermudians seem to have paraphrased those words with ?Tis the season to travel?.... some to be with relatives, others to get away from them. The airline and travel business has been overwhelmed with reservations and bookings for flights to various destinations in spite of how stressful and frustrating travel has become ... the preparation ... the procedures one has to go through like to the restriction for weight and size of luggage identity checks, what is allowed as carry-ons, baggage inspection, metal detectors, remove of outer garments, has made travel an ordeal as opposed to a luxury.

How ironic it was at this same time of the year that Joseph was mandated to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem not for festive reasons but to pay taxes as ordered by Caesar. The trip, for Joseph and many others must have been arduous. There was no first class means of travel, no in flight meals, no restaurants along the way ? the journey was taxing in more ways than one. Remember, Mary was pregnant, almost ready to deliver and they both must have been anxious for their own safety as well as that of their unborn child. Even when they reached their journey?s end, there wasn?t any welcoming committee, any place to stay, any meal to enjoy, but they were not travelling in vain, for they gave humankind a gift of Light and Life and Love and Joy to all.

That event in Bethlehem also symbolises the spiritual journey of individuals as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world, and that He will come again. So as we travel during this advent season ? at home or abroad ? as carols fill the air and warm our hearts, let us be mindful of those who have no place to stay, no meal to enjoy, no family or friend to embrace them as we are living in a stressful, economic, racially and politically divided society.

This is another opportunity for the faith community to unite in prayer that the true spirit of Christmas will saturate our beings, that we might be agents of hope, love, joy and peace until time meets eternity, and peace will be on earth and Goodwill will be to ALL men.

Bishop Richard F. Norris and the African Methodist Episcopal Church wish for all a blessed Christ-centred Christmas and an abundance of God?s blessings in the New Year.