This is, in the Christian calender, the holiest day of the year. As it is in the Jewish year as well, save for different reasons. Thousands of years ago it was also the most significant day of the year, the 5 dead days. The babylonians believed that the year must have 360 days. This was inherited from the Sumerians who believed that the number 60 was perfect. The observations of astrologers convinced them that the perfect year was 12 months of 30 days. This was not the case. The egyptians instituted an annual festival of the "5 dead days". On midnight of the 360th day of the year all went into their homes, prepared with stores of food and drink and fell silent and waited, praying and hoping that they would pass through the "dead days". On the midnight of the 365th day they would emerge from their homes and celebrate with feasting and song. Sound familiar? Either way, regardless of what we believe, this is the end of the year, the end of time Father christmas is father time. We wait and hope for the beginning of a new year, a new chance to "get it right". One way or the other we are together at this time of the year. It is my sincere hope, and the driving force behind my work, that we truly become as one and finially, leave last year behind forever. Merry christmas.

From Victoria, my precious daughter, Steven, my strong young man, Kevin, my deep and crystalline son, Colette, the quiet, unbreakable woman who gave me the privilege of sharing in the life that I have: May the spirit of this season invade your soul and refuse to leave. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa. May the blessings of Allah shower upon all the true believers in this the month of Shawwal. May all be one.