And I'd like to wish everbody on this Site a lovely peaceful and happy Christmas, and that we all have a better and a more positive 2013.

As we all look towards a new year, many of us will wonder if it'll be an improvement of the preceding year ? Personally, I do hope so.

This year, we've seemingly reached new depths in terms of declining standards of parliamentry behaviour. And just hours ago, we've had our senses once more assulted by the awful news of the deaths of over twenty innocent souls, many just mere toddler's, in the small picturesque township of Newtown, in the leafy New England State, of CT ?

And then we hear the news of the successful conference in Bloemfontein, RSA being organised by the governing party, the African National Congress - another example of democracy in a country hitherto ruled by the iron fist of Apartheid ! And I surprisingly, hear from a friend who's just excitingly told me, the surgery he had for a nasty cancer on his face, being 100% successful.

So I suspect this will be a very nice, peaceful Christmas after all for many, and for the many others, we can but only hope ?

Merry Christmas to you all...Sung Wu.

Dear worldwatcher,

I'm glad that the poem struck a chord, it did with
me as well when I first read it. Children are a
challenge. I've had to deal with them professionally
(as a librarian) and I found that all I lacked was
Solomon's wisdom, Freud's insight, Einstein's
knowledge, and Florence Nightingale's dedication.
(smile).

Dear o sung wu,

Thanks for the hopeful note of your post.
It has been an awful year in so many ways -
let's trust that the New Year will give us
something better.

A Merry Christmas to all!

I'll be making my annual pilgrimage south to spend Christmas with my parents, my brother and his family. I always enjoy this time of year: some peace and quiet, a general sense of goodwill and hopes for a new year.

It's funny how an arbitrary marker - a new year - can bring with it so many hopes. Once my New Year's resolutions are thoroughly quashed, I look forward to Chinese New Year when I can make them - and break them - all over again.

As for Christmas, I certainly embrace the religious side of it, but extend my warm wishes to those who don't. Whether you believe in God or his Son or eternal salvation or something completely different (or, indeed, nothing at all), there's something wonderful about taking time out to give gifts (material or immaterial) to those we cherish. I agree with the sentiment that the 'spirit of Christmas' should continue year-round. Of course, if it did, we'd have to step up that Christmas spirit just a little more around the end of December to give ourselves a goal for further peace, happiness and goodwill in the future.

Perhaps Christmas should be a renewal of our commitment to each other and to our world, and a hope that we can strengthen that commitment each year we are lucky enough to enjoy?

That's enough philosophical rambling for me, though. Season's greetings and all that to all who read this!

Thanks Lexi.
Plenty of visitors standard English baked chook and ham, plus pork.
Just a few drinks, if you believe that carry my wheely bin to the corner!
Still, as every year,would rather the cold meats and sea food, salads every day of Chrissy, but not my choice.
Truly hope it is great for every one.

Dear Otokonoko,

Thank You for sharing your thoughts with us and we
wish you a very Joyous Christmas with your family.
May the new year solve the leadership crisis that
we're currently experiencing. Let us trust that the
politicians will listen to his or her constituents
and hope that they're not swayed by politics.
May they grow beyond a shallow fight - and give us
new light, new peace, new politics, and new hope for
all the world.

Dear Belly,

Sounds perfect to me.

May you have warm memories, and many magical
moments. And may the New Year bring us a few
surprises - politically! (nice ones that is).