Witnessing the aurora borealis is on my bucket list. In general I understand the science, but those wavering colored lights in the northern sky to me are nothing short of magical — and magic has been in short supply lately. Too much hate in the world. Too much anger. Too many calls for retribution, for blowing things up. All with alienating results.
During the holiday season when loneliness and sadness can mar an otherwise lovely day, a random act of kindness may just help a stranger through a difficult time. Maybe we should all give it a try. What’s needed to get through the hectic holidays are empathy, compassion and humor. And a sprinkling of magic.
If we look around this month, it’s easy to find magic: children running and laughing at public holiday displays, music performed with skill and love to grateful audiences, voices raised in song, prayer and celebration, and all those twinkling lights wrapped around palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze.
Regardless of faith or belief, the month of December brings a celebration of light. Everyone can embrace the magic of candles flickering, Christmas trees glowing, a full moon rising from the ocean, a night sky filled with stars.
And maybe some day, if I travel north, the northern lights.
— Mary Kate Leming, Editor
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