Rudolph. The Grinch. Ebenezer Scrooge. Frosty the Snowman. Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun.
And of course, the family in the stable, angels singing on high, shepherds stunned by a star, the wise men following its wandering light.
As usual, we have a lot of company for Christmas. It can be overwhelming, and exhausting.
For many of us, preparations for today’s holiday started months ago. We know that the real pressure starts in late November. Cookies must be baked. Lines for Christmas pageants must be learned. Plans for out-of-town travel must be formalized.
Finally it’s here. It’s time to unwrap presents and to put the turkey in the oven. We have one more day to listen to “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Christmas, as a concept, is so vast that we all have our own ideas about what it is all about. At the H-F Chronicle, we know that it is not our job to tell you how to celebrate Christmas. We just hope that you have a joyful Christmas that is filled with love.
This is one of those days when we are supposed to be surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. We hope that is the case for all of you and that the happiness of the day extends to the year ahead.
Christmas, as a religious celebration, is all about the birth of a child who has come to save the world. That’s what the great carols — “Joy to the World” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” — are all about. It’s a message about hope and salvation. It is a message that should not be lost during the holiday bustle.
For the second straight year, the Chronicle’s holiday issue has been dedicated to the scores of events, great and small, that go on in Homewood and Flossmoor. That’s because we know that these are important events in our towns. They bring us closer together. They are designed to bring joy to the community.
We hope that all your holiday events have been a success, for young and old. And we look forward to chronicling our community in 2018.
Merry Christmas! And we’d like to extend our wishes of peace and good will to all of you.