Well, here are—again! This is the last minister’s column for the year 2025. What a year it has been, and who knows what the future holds? Maybe more of the same. Maybe not. Whatever happens, we must weather the storm, the joys and concerns (and sorrows) collectively and individually. It is difficult to be a human being. Or rather, I should say, it is difficult to be a good human being. It requires forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, as well as hope. I would also add another important ingredient or characteristic, and that is intentionality. I believe that one must indeed want to be a good human being. One must be intent on being a good human being. It won’t happen every day, which is where forgiveness comes in. To at least try is enough. More than enough. It doesn’t matter what others are doing or even if they are trying. You do you. The rest will follow.  Keep your sense of peace. Trust. Trust a bit more. Keep that in mind this Holiday Season. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The old year is dying, and a new year is being born. Long Live Life!

This is a to-do list for the month of December:

This holiday season, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Offer encouragement. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy.

Listen.

Apologize if you are wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else.

Appreciate. Be kind.  Be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. 

Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.

Speak it still once again.

(The late Rev. Lee Reid. The UU Society of the Palisades, 1996).

Howard Thurman writes

I will light candles this Christmas,

Candles of joy despite the sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,

Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all year long.