This year I met several people who despaired over Christmas.
At a very difficult time affecting the nation, they said that Christmas burdened them with additional worry, anxiety and that they struggle with limited items associated with the festive season, especially food and heating.
Christmas was never meant to be like this.
How many people are actually familiar with the in-depth meaning of Christmas? Not many nowadays.
The miracle of Christmas is its survival for almost 2,000 years. Many things have changed in that time, but the message of Christmas continues to transcend the problems besetting the world.
Christmas is never about money, gluttony or booze. It conveys the promise to all of us which is as meaningful now as it was centuries ago and for time to come: good tidings in our tumultuous world.
TREVOR BEVIS
St Peter’s Road
March
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here