This hasn’t been the easiest year to get into the Christmas spirit. Mother Nature hasn’t been much help. There have been too many days in the 50s and too little snow to help inspire a holiday mood. And even seven weeks after the November elections there seems to be plenty of political ill will lingering in Kansas and across the nation.

The international situation places an obvious damper on the joy of the season. It’s difficult for Christians and people of many other faiths to understand the violence that is committed in the name of religion in many parts of the world. During a time when we are supposed to honor peace on earth and good will toward men, there are far too many evil forces at work trying to squelch our celebration.

We must not let them.

Even in the darkest times – perhaps especially in the darkest times – people of good faith must cling to their principles and their hopes for the world. If they give into the forces of violence and greed, all will be lost. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, hope can survive.

Many families are bearing a heavy burden this Christmas. They may have lost loved ones or suffered a financial setback. Others live with the constant worry associated with having relatives serving in the U.S. military around the world. Those military personnel who are doing their best to serve and represent the United States deserve our support and prayers.

Although bringing peace to a troubled world may be beyond our power as individuals, we still can try to spread some peace to the people who are close to us. Right here in Lawrence, we don’t have to look far to find people in need of a helping hand or a willing ear. Our caring community has reached out to many of those people with various gifts and activities throughout the holiday season.

That feeling and willingness to help is something we need to try to hold on to throughout the year. Hope is contagious and can often be spread one person at a time. While we look to our national leaders to spread hope throughout the world, we should take it upon ourselves to spread hope to those we come in contact with every day.

If only in your own little corner of the world, we hope you find peace and good will this holiday and commit yourself to carrying that spirit with you throughout 2007.

Merry Christmas.