Once again it is time to rekindle our spirits with the hope of peace on earth, goodwill towards man. We have lived through a year of war, snipers, world starvation, disease and poverty to once again celebrate the season of goodwill towards man with the hope of peace on earth. For countless generations man has celebrated this time and Christmas traditions have been planted throughout the world. The Spirit of Peace, Giving, and Good Will towards everyone once again will fill our hearts and uplift our spirits.

Christmas is the one holiday that is celebrated throughout the world. In Germany: the undisputed focal-point of the entire Christmas period, in the community and in the family, is the Christmas tree. Beautifully decorated with lights or candles all a glow.

In Brazil: The people of Northern Brazil, as in Mexico, enjoy a version of the folk play Los Pastores ("The Shepherds.") In the Brazilian version, there are shepherdesses rather than shepherds and a gypsy who attempts to kidnap the Christ Child.

In Iraq: On Christmas Eve, Iraqi Christian families gather together and one of the children read about the birth of Jesus while other family members hold lighted candles. Afterward the reading, a bonfire of thorn bushes is set and everyone sings. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will be granted for the coming year. When the fire dies, each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

In the British Isles: The custom of singing carols at Christmas is English. During the middle ages, groups of serenaders called "waits" would travel around from house to house singing ancient carols and spreading the holiday spirit. The word "carol" means "song of joy." Most of the popular old carols we sing today were written in the nineteenth century.

The hanging of greens, such as holly and ivy, is a British winter tradition with origins far before the Christian era. Greenery was probably used to lift sagging winter spirits and remind the people that spring was not far away. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is descended from ancient Druid rites. The decorating of Christmas trees, though primarily a German custom, has been widely popular in England since 1841 when Prince Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle for his wife Queen Victoria, and their children.

The word "wassail" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael, which means "good health." Originally, wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, nuts, eggs, and spices. It was served for the purpose of enhancing the general merriment of the season. Like many of the ancient customs, "wassailing" has a legend to explain its origin. It seems that a beautiful Saxon maiden named Rowena presented Prince Vortigen with a bowl of wine while toasting him with the words "Waes hael." Over the centuries a great deal of ceremony had developed around the custom of drinking wassail. The bowl is carried into a room with great fanfare, a traditional carol about the drink is sung, and finally, the steaming hot beverage is served.

Centuries ago in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), a boy named Nicholas loved the story of the Magi, the wise men who travel from afar to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. Nicholas admired that they came and went without fanfare. Later when grown he became a priest. He showed the same humility by quietly distributing food and gifts to the poor. Soon, he became known for his deeds. Yet this didn't affect Saint Nicholas, who continued to serve the poor until his death in the fourth century.

In 1816, an Austrian priest wrote a simple poem about Jesus' birth. His church organist set these words to music. Together, they played their song in 1818 at a Christmas Eve service. Soon after, they parted ways. Their collaboration would have been lost forever had not an organ restorer not discovered the song's manuscript in the church loft in 1825. Today, Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber's Silent Night is one of the world's most treasured Christmas carols and song all over the world!

I’m sure all of you have many Christmas traditions to add to these few so I leave you all with a warm aloha and Mele Kalikimaka!!!!