Winter weather has struck our area. Not midwinter, but a shock to the system when you are not accustomed to the cold snow and ice. It was not long ago that we were wondering when the heat would break. Now we are looking for the heater. So this is Christmas, and what have we done? John Lennon asked. We are in the morning of the Season. Morning is a good time. We feel strong in the morning. Fresh and renewed, ready for the challenges of the day. Time is as special as we make it.

Time in the etheral dimension. We are here again. We have been here before. The Old Man wished his colleagues Merry Christmas with wine and song. It was important to him that everyone felt a part of the organisation and that their voices mattered. Hands holding hands and hearts knitted together could not be broken. Each member’s strength lay in the next person in the Holiday Chain. The Christmas Unity was based on love for the diversity of God’s Creation. The Old Man understood that he was a servant who was no greater than the last person hired. University was a wonderful place to be. It could direct to life, and it was life. There was a sense of place and purpose, a mission for helping others. It was a bit mystical. It was magical. Miracles happened for many a life, career, and road map.

Scrooge remembered Mr Fezziwig’s kindness at Christmas. Mr Fezziwig treated Scrooge with appreciation for Scrooge’s shared humanity. There was more than numbers and ledgers, balance sheets. There were people, the most important of any business. A Christmas Dance to be enjoyed and laughter for the year that had been. A roasted goose to cook and Tiny Tim singing louder than any in the Christmas Eve congregation. Figgy Pudding with its infinite delights. A cold office but a warm heart.

Ignorance and Want looked out from the Ghost of Christmas Present’s robes. Each of these waifs is always with us, not only at Christmas but throughout the year. What shall we do as John Lennon sang?

‘Cruelty is king,’ said the Politician. ‘We are making straight the crooked path that our predecessors left us,’ the Politician continued. Christmas love and compassion are demonstrated through tough love,’ the Politician exclaimed. ‘Are there no Poorhouses?’ the Politician asked with a sneer. ‘Now the true Americans will take their rightful place among the pantheon of heroes,’ the politician promised. ‘We shall purge all of the undesirable people, let them go back to where they came from,’ the Politician said as he sat down to a Christmas Feast.

Marley’s Ghost wailed in the alley as his chains clanked and rattled as he passed by the hungry and sick, the marginalised and those who were not the accepted colour or nationality.