Christmas Eve brings together all the magic of the holiday season. The last-minute shopping completed, we ready our hearts for the special day anticipated since the beginning of December. All the plans have been made, the gifts wrapped and the baking completed.
And then the day comes…
Christmas has a number of benchmarks that have a subtle influence over all of our holiday activities, even though most of us do not recognize them as self-imposed standards of excellence. We compare our abilities to give gifts to our children. We determine who can make the best eggnog, send the most Christmas cards; even who has the greatest number of guests seated at the dinner table. We exchange Christmas letters that confirm that we have been blessed over the past year. Looking beyond individual endeavours, even the markets of the world calculate the effect of Christmas purchases on stock prices – toys, electronics, and clothes. Charitable organizations measure the amount of homeless that need to be fed and housed over Christmas. One day creates a generous amount of statistics.
Why is Christmas so extraordinary? Gifts are given at birthdays; love is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, rebirth at the Vernal Equinox. Perhaps it is because Christmas gives us three benchmarks that speak to the longing of all humanity. They are found in all traditions and have been embraced throughout history. These standards of excellence are set so high that only a global community can achieve them….collectively.
Joy to the World – for all creatures that live on our earth
Peace on Earth – for all of our wondrously diverse cultures and traditions.
Goodwill to mankind – for all to accept our responsibility to others; to cooperate, respect and participate.
“If you find that not many of the things you asked for have come, and not perhaps quite so many as sometimes, remember that this Christmas all over the world there are a terrible number of poor and starving people.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, Letters from Father Christmas
ChasingART 
Indeed, we can only achieve these collectively, so here’s to that, my dear Rebecca. My warmest wishes to you, and your loved ones, my dear friend! 🙂
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Thank you my dear friend! Every one of your posts and comments exemplify these benchmarks!!!💛❤️💛
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Awwwwwww…… looks like I’m going to be greeting 2016 with red red cheeks!!!! Thank you, my dear friend! 😊💐
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Thank you for this thoughtful post. It is good to be reminded of the Three Benchmarks, so very significant. They come from the Scriptures, of course, and what a challenge to us to put them into practice.
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A challenge indeed!! I have always found that it is easier to read and discuss than to act and put these ideas into practice. Merry Christmas!!! All the very best..,
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Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas my friend!
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All the very very best of this special season to you and yours. Looking forward to all the adventures waiting for us in 2016. And the books – there are so many calling to us! Life is so good!
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Frieden auf Erden – hoffen wir es für all jene Menschen, die es dringend brauchen.
Frohe Weihnachten und ein erspriessliches neues Jahr. ❤ Ernst
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Ich bin so traurig, dass ich nicht früher geantwortet haben! Glückliches neues Jahr für Sie und Ihre wunderbare Familie. Wir freuen uns auf unsere Abenteuer im Jahr 2016. Ich freue mich auf Ihre Beiträge und unseren vielen Gesprächen.
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Joy, Peace, and Goodwill ~ may we remember to strive always for those benchmarks. Goodnight from Christmas Morning. 🙂
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Thank you dear friend for all of the wonderful conversations that we had over the past year. Looking forward to more in 2016. Many hugs coming your way.
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