Growing up in eastern Canada, the cold and snow of early December meant that the arrival of Santa Claus and his big red sleigh full of goodies was not far away.

Years later, my first thoughts are no longer of Jolly Ole’ St. Nick and the increasing commercialization of the Christmas Season, but rather a quote from American businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffett. “If you’re in the luckiest one per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent.”

Hardship can come in many shapes and sizes, especially this time of the year. We hear stories every day of families who cannot make ends meet, struggling to feed, clothe and house their families.

And while compassion has no season, generosity and good will are more vital than ever during the holidays, when expectations and expenses are higher.

Admittedly, most of us are not part of that one per cent – our wealth is measured by other means. Still, like Buffett, we can create ‘win-win’ scenarios in our lives by giving what we can over the next while – the rewards will bring both the true meaning of the holidays, and great joy, to our lives, and also shed some light and warmth during the long, wintry days of December.

On behalf of all of us here at Celtic Life International, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season, and I encourage you to be generous with others.

May God Bless
Angus M. Macquarrie
Publisher