It is traditional at this time of year for businesses to wish all their clients, past present and future, a Happy Christmas and despite the formulaic nature of these declarations it would be wrong not to celebrate Christmas as we in Britain always have. These greetings can be insincere when coming from large commercial organizations whose only wish is for us to spend more of our money but it is still kinder than no recognition of these cherished days.
This is a time of death and a time of rebirth, the momentary static point as movement in one direction is replaced by movement in the other. It is good that we celebrate such a time traditionally, with our families, who are after all the centre of our lives. It is no irony that this time of transition is also a time of stasis; rather it is an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan for the future in the presence of the greatest reminder that nothing stays the same.
As I write the weather outside is cold, grey and damp but Christmas itself was sunny and bright and it is tempting to think of travel to sunny places when our own country is at its least hospitable. Soon it will be time to start on the long process of preparing for 2010. In the meantime, a fond wish to everyone for a very happy 2010.
