Editorial: A moment to think of others

Let’s not forget: The blessings of the holiday are not equally shared.

There is nothing quite like the magic of Christmas morning.

Today, many of us will be all too happy to be awakened all too early by excited children to begin a day of celebration marked by exchanging gifts and sharing food with friends and family. Many among us will celebrate by enjoying our new gifts, taking in a movie or engaging in any number of family holiday traditions.

However we choose to celebrate, please take a moment to think of those who for a variety of reasons won’t be able to celebrate in the same way today. May they have our blessings, our prayers and in some cases, our thanks.

Take a moment to think of the young people whose circumstances require them, for perhaps the first time, to spend Christmas apart from their families.

Take a moment to think of those whose jobs require that they work on Christmas Day — police, firefighters, nurses, newspaper reporters and editors and the store clerks who make it possible to get the AA batteries we forgot but desperately need to make Christmas morning magic.

Take a moment to think about the members of the armed forces who are deployed around the world and will spend today not in celebration but in harm’s way in service to our country.

Take a moment to think of those suffering from illnesses that require them to spend Christmas not at home with family but being cared for in a hospital.

And take a moment to think of those struggling with poverty, for many of whom Christmas is just another day spent in search of food and shelter.

Today Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, who spent his short time on earth helping others. In celebrating his birth, we should do so in a manner that honors what he taught.

So let us thank those who are giving their time today to make our lives safer, easier and fuller. And let us lift up in prayer those serving our country, battling illness or struggling with loss. Let us open our doors to those who have no place to celebrate today. And on this day of giving, let us find ways to give to those who most need help.

Merry Christmas to all. May your day be blessed.