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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-12-21, Page 4741 aN:K'. Y�y,�p a.-,.vt Ln(_14.aS�ti-dwt� Poge 4 December 21, 2005 • The Huron Expositor Editorial Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1W0 • Looking for the light in a season of darkness As Christmases come and go, we take advantage of this time of year to imagine, at least, if the world can ever achieve the peace on earth, goodwill to man, woman and child the season seems to promise. Although war, the constant in recorded human history, shows no immediate signs of becoming obsolete, we can't help but yearn for peace during the season of rest enjoyed by most of nature - even if humans will not allow it for themselves. Those looking for signs of global peace have not had much to cheer them in recent times of terror- ism and war. Particularly bleak was the recent news of the abduction of four North American "peacemakers" who travelled to Iraq with the specific aim of pro- moting peace in a country at war. While the four members of Christian Peacemakers, two of them Canadians, have lived past a deadline imposed by their captors, their future is still uncertain. When men risk their liven' for peace - not as sol- diers but as unarmed civilians actively seeking to prevent conflict on behalf of.the invaded Iraqis - and still are threatened by those they have attempted to protect, hope becomes a fragile thing indeed. Yet, because the journey of these peacemakers parallels that of Christ and other great men of peace; such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., one cannot help but find some inspiration. And, people of all faiths around the world are praying for the release of the four. Christmas is the time when we seek thelight in a season of darkness - in their attempts to find an alternative to war, the peacemakers have become beacons of hope. Susan Hundertmark Pondering the whole question of Christmas Charlie Brown once screamed with despera- tion, "Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?" Well the problem is, Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people. With the help of two quotes from my favourite holiday movies, Home Alone and Scrooged, here's what Christmas means to me. "This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back. No toys, nothing but (you can insert your own family members' names here) Peter, Hate, Buzz, Megan, Linnie and Jeff. And my aunt and my cousins. And if he has time, my Uncle Frank. Okay?" No matter how exasperated we get with our families sometimes, could you imagine spend- ing the holidays without them? Recently a church service was held at Northside United Church, where many of those in attendance are coping with the reali- ty they'll spend the holidays without someone they love. No one should ever have to spend the holidays with the pain those people feel. If you have a family to spend Christmas with, be thankful. Appreciate every moment you get to spend with them. 1---7111111 1 by Jeff Heuchert Let Christmas be the one time of the year when you put aside your petty differences, and get along. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to be with the people you care for, and care for you. "It's Christmas. It's the one time of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year we are the people that we always hoped we would be." Most of us go about our lives on a daily basis with a very inward way of thinking. We think and act based on what we want, or how something will affect us. Christmas can be the one time all year when we're all less selfish and a little bit nicer, maybe even do something for someone else that has no positive affect on us, other than it makes you feel good inside. Ten -year-old Abby McGavin of Walton col- lected over 80 coats for the homeless in Toronto this year. If there is such a thing as Christmas spirit, Abby has it. As I said in the beginning, Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people. And no matter what it means to you, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. .Ron & ®ave There's only one thing that I wont for Chistmas...World Peace and goodwill towards all. Nothing could That be as wonderful would as a world filled be the with love and peace) best gift ever! b David La Oh yeah, and G.I. Joe with a bazooka and machine gun! 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