So it is Christmas and I had prepared a great piece on another grey day in paradise – unfortunately as I write this there are blue sky outside so that sort of destroys the starting point.  However, the main thrust of what I was going to say still stands true – we in Britain do live in as close a proximation to paradise as you can get for a human being.  This is not to down play the great social problems we suffer and it is reasonable to suggest that evil does from time to time visit this green and pleasant land.   However, when we consider what many of our human brothers and sisters are enduring today – today is another day in paradise.

Some might be risking their lives on the seas of the eastern Mediterranean – knowing that there is a great chance they may never see land again yet compared from where they came that is a chance worth living.  Or perhaps the young children in west Africa who have been orphaned by the ebola disease. Or maybe the many millions in India who have to struggle just to make enough money just to feed themselves let alone their children.

I could go on but I think that would be labouring the point as I am sure you get the picture.  We have so many things to be thankful for here in the rich and prosperous west that we forget how lucky we are to be born here.  Many people in this country criticise the Royal because of their great wealth and influence by accident of birth but in truth we all have the same luck – just ask the huddled masses at Calais.

So whilst you are enjoying yourself today then spare a thought for the many not so lucky around the world.  Be truly thankful for the bounty that this world has given to you and remember this day was the start of a journey that ended with some being nailed to a cross for all of us.  Yes Christmas is the festival to celebrate the arrival of the son of god.  Whether you believe that or not is another matter.  What isn’t is that we should thank whoever we feel reasonable for our good fortune, however small.  There are many more out there who have it much worse than us.

Merry Christmas to you all, I hope you have a great time.