Warm Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Before you light a candle in the Christmas tree,
Light a festive flame in your heart,
With forgiveness and understanding,
With a spark of love
And believe – it is in your power
To carry light, just as the candles do …
(S. Vasiļevska)

This is a time of light. Yes, the mornings are still dark, and dusk still comes early, but the light will come. The Christian message promises light, which is already present in the ancient story of the bright star. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is a celebration of the power of light and the solstice carries the promise of growing light. Through light and hope, this festive time of year promises us all that the power of light will win out over darkness.

There are many still waiting for it. Our friends in Ukraine wait in the darkness of war for the light of peace and freedom to shine again in their homeland. Palestinians and Israelis wait for the peace and justice that the promise of light could bring them. In Africa, famine is a constant darkness over the souls of countless people waiting for the light of grace.

Even here in this prosperous country, many still live in the darkness of addiction, illness, poverty, and spiritual despair waiting for a ray of light to enter their lives.

We can be that light. We are that light. You may not think you are that light, but you surely are! Each of us is a source of light for someone—our families, a neighbour, our community, the countries where we live … and a light for Latvia.

The Latvian National Federation in Canada wishes everyone a happy and bright holiday season.

Fritz Traugott Kristbergs
LNAK Executive Committee President

(painting by Otto N. Grebže 1910-1999)