AND FINALLY Good news is all around us, if we look

THERE’S a kind reader who calls herself simply ‘The Angel Lady’ and twice this year she’s sent me a little collection of tiny handmade bead angels, just to cheer me up because she thought I sounded a bit down. And of course, they worked.

The glint of my kitchen lights on those little messengers of goodwill spilling from an envelope acted as an antidote to the bad news all around.

I love the fact that an M&S jumper with the word ‘BELIEVE’ on it became a bestseller. It’s incredibly hard to force yourself to be brave and believe things will improve — yet what alternative do we have?

I’m delighted when I hear back from those who have written with their problems and pain, then later share the good news that things did get better — even though they thought it impossible. It gives me quiet pleasure that I advised working through changes and believing in hope, even against the odds.

During the quiet time between Christmas and this new year I’ve been thinking of the words of the poet John Keats: ‘I am certain of nothing but of the holiness of the Heart’s affections and the truth of Imagination.’

That beautiful statement of belief is what drives Christmas, no matter how you choose to celebrate. Believe in what you will, as long as you keep belief in traditions of goodness in your heart. And keep them up and running.

When it feels harder than ever to imagine better times will come, try to focus on the ‘good news’ that’s all around, if you look.

Rejoice that people could see loved ones last week, decent people are kind to strangers, love is shared, children squeal with delight, brave souls rebuild... and no matter how many setbacks we encounter on our confusing road through life, nothing can cancel out those truths.

Even the light of a single candle, and the glimmer of one star in the night sky provide hope. And that, I promise you, is the

message of the angels.