Welcome back Merry Christmas

I was in Indigo’s, Canada’s National Archives for boxed Happy Holiday cards. And then I spotted a display of boxed cards which proclaimed Merry Christmas, and then another, and another. Some cards were tentative, it must be opened before a shy Merry Christmas was offered, but that’s OK. Indigo’s display of equal opportunity Christmas cards supported my sensation.

The awareness grew stronger, the Christmas displays and decorations in Fortinos on Main Street are the merriest ever. Last weekend outside the store, two couples briefly chatted, the temperature sent them on their separate ways, but before parting they wished each other — “Merry Christmas.” It was loud and it was joyous. Passing shoppers, myself included, glanced over at them, and we all smiled.

Can it be — is Christmas seeping back into our lives unfettered and without political constraint? Confirmation arrived on Monday morning December 11th. Alongside our Hamilton Spectator was an envelope, opening the envelope was a card decorated with holly, festive gloves, scarf and hat. The card greeting is: Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas. Inside the card was a printed note thanking us for our tenure as Spectator subscribers and then a beautifully scrolled: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Signed by our new Spec carrier, Tran Baphuoc — Thank you Tran, and a Merry Christmas to you.

And so I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Feliz Natal, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Robert Boag, Dundas