During Dec 2001, Ally McBeal had a christmas episode. the town mayor decided to do away with the usual christmas parade as he felt that it was not apt, given the grief of the nation just abt 3 months ago.

John Cage brought a case against the mayor and fought for the parade and rallied the people. some were adamant for they felt the same way as the mayor. then John said, "It's not a year for skipping Christmas."

and he was right. they went ahead with the christmas parade. i bawled my eyes down as i watched the firemen and police who prob had a part at ground zero march past the people holding up candles, remembering the lives lost.

christmas decor is up early this year in Singapore. some say it's the retailers' way of getting people to spend and indulge in retail therapy before the slump hits us hard.. pumping money into the income cycle of the local economy.. i guess that's true.

but a little naive part of me believes that someone somewhere wanted to just remind people that you need Christmas because it's just a festival of joy.. it's possibly even bigger than our independance day.

surely a day to remember the greatest gift of all that brings joy and hope in the midst of uncertainty and despair is what we need now. a simple reminder to all believers that all this will pass away away, the good and the bad. but one thing is eternal: the relationship with our God. one thing is true: the love of our Father. one thing is certain: He'll come back and call us to Him and we'll be in that place once again.

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconcile.

51 days to go and counting. Yet Lord i pray, help me to always remember You, christmas or not, of what You've done and the promises You have given me to get through the darkest of dark and brightest of bright all my days.