Let Us Carry the Torch of Goodwill

adapted from Charles Dickens by Jone Lewis

We celebrate the winter holidays once again. Let us open our hearts, let the spirit within us walk abroad among our human neighbors and travel far and wide.

Let this season be a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time. May we keep our humor to the last.

Let us not be haunted at this season by the shadows of things that might have been.

If our past is marred by ill-will, let not the mirrors of our own yesterdays show us what we shall be in years to come.

We have the power to render others happy or unhappy. We have the power to make their days light or burdensome, and their work a pleasure or a toil.

Our power lies in words and looks, in things so small that it is impossible to add and count them up.

The happiness we give is no small matter. A good word is worth a fortune. Let no idol displace Love, even a golden one.

Let us carry the torch of goodwill, that it may banish hate.

Let us honor the holiday season in our hearts and keep it all the year.

And wish a Happy New Year to all the world!

Posted by Jone Johnson Lewis on December 24, 2002


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