The vibration of Christmas is not influenced by events around us. The vibration of Christmas is a vibration of goodwill, of joy, of hope and of anticipation. The vibration of Christmas is beyond the religion of Christmas, and far beyond the commercialism of Christmas.

The vibration of Christmas in 2002 is a very much subdued vibration. The vibration of Christmas in 2002 is subdued not by fear as we might suppose, but by uncertainty.

It is not fear, but uncertainty which has placed the world economy in limbo. I do not know what the official figures are, but I do know that small businesses throughout the world are hurting. Business trends are no longer predictable, and many small businesses are struggling to survive.

The uncertainty of small business, and the bankruptcy of big businesses, (which is now financial bankruptcy following years of moral bankruptcy), has led to many, many families hurting, and in need of our prayers and our support this Christmas.

If we study history we will see that the economy follows the principle of the seasons and moves in cycles. We may be experiencing winter at the moment, but regardless of how long and hard the winter is, spring will surely follow.

For many, Christmas is a bittersweet time of year. Many despair at Christmas because they feel isolated and excluded from Christmas. Maybe, the lonely do not understand why their feeling of isolation is more acute at Christmas, but the lonely feel the vibration of Christmas, and they feel that they are excluded from Christmas, and outside of the vibration of Christmas.

Sadly, the lonely and isolated are not restricted to those who live alone and are without family, but there are many within families who also feel lonely, isolated and excluded at Christmas, and there can be no lonelier feeling, than feeling that you do not belong at Christmas.

We can make a difference if we take a little time to ensure that all of those within our circle of friends, relatives and associates feel a part of Christmas, and feel that they belong.

One group of people who we need to be particularly diligent with, are the recently divorced or separated. Many who are experiencing Christmas outside of their family environment for the first time, feel that they do not belong anywhere to the point of despair, and beyond.

I have been there many years ago, and I now recall a friend, not of mine, but of my former wife, who listened to my ramblings one Christmas so I would not be alone. I did not know it then, but I know it now, that friend saved my life.

Christmas 2002 is a difficult Christmas, with many of us focussing on the difficulties that we are facing, or believe that we are facing. Not having enough money to buy the latest 'in' toy, or designer label is not a difficulty to those who cannot afford a Christmas meal.

No matter how difficult our Christmas feels, if we reach out to ease the difficulties of someone else, we will magically ease our own difficulties as well, and both of our Christmas' will be a little more Merry.

Merry Christmas.

I considered closing with 'Happy Holidays' which I am told is politically correct, but to me 'Happy Holidays' is meaningless. Merry Christmas, is a blessing and has meaning to me, and therefore meaning to those to whom I wish a Merry Christmas. I do not feel 'Happy Holidays', but I certainly feel Merry Christmas, and I am more than happy to sacrifice empty political correctness, for meaning and sentiment. So, given the climate of the world during Christmas, 2002 I will close with John Lennon.

Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done?
Another year over
And you've just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
Your near and your dear ones
Your old and your young

And so Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
The weak and the strong
The rich and the poor ones
Have waited so long

And so Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

So Merry Christmas
And Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
W ithout any fear

War is over if you want it
War is over if you want it
War is over if you want it
War is over if you want it

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