Christmas, a Christian holy day honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, was a rich religious tradition of faith, hope, joy, generosity and good will.
It is my opinion that for many, Christmas has lost that sacred glow and is now more about the excessive exchange of gifts, party celebrations and drunken revelry when it was intended to be filled with outgoing love reflecting sincere Christian values.
Seventy years ago, I had a morning paper route and I would read the paper before leaving for school. The paper had an advice column, and one day the writer of the column published a poem written anonymously. I have carried that poem with me for 70 years and had it printed on the back of my business cards.
This Christmas season, I urge everyone to remember this poem and in the spirit of Christmas, put the words into action with the way you treat others.
WHY?
Why do we wait till a person’s gone before we tell them their worth?
Why do we wait, why not tell them now they are the finest person on earth?
Why do we wait until a person’s gone to send them flowers galore
When a single rose would have meant so much if we’d taken it to their door?
Why do we wait till they cannot hear the good things that we might say?
Why put it off, why not tell them now and share in their joy today?
Of course we’re busy, that’s our excuse, but why, oh why do we wait
To tell a person our love for them until it becomes too late?
Joseph Krill
Murrysville