MGreen

Last updated 00:00, Friday, 21 December 2007

Merry Christmas!

With rising food and fuel prices, credit fears and global economic worries, some may wonder what there is to celebrate.

It has been another appalling year for farmers, with outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, bird flu and bluetongue disease seriously hitting their income.

Though there will not be much time for farmworkers to take a break, Christmas is the one event in the year when we should try and be with friends and family.

It is when we share – time, food, presents and love.

And when we spare a thought – and £1 or two – for those less well off close to home and abroad.

It is also important to remember those serving in the forces overseas.

Cumbria has long and proud history of serving Queen and country and there are many men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan who will not be home in Cumbria this Christmas.

Bishop Dow in these pages says we should remember our Christian heritage.

The Rev David Emison says we don’t need to go to church to think about God and Bishop O’Donoghue says we should make new resolutions to be better people.

All thoughts with which we agree wholeheartedly.

And if you need any more reasons to explain why we should make a fuss of this time of year, take a glance at our eight-page Nativity supplement.

The glowing faces of wonder and excitement that beam out of those pages show the joy this season can bring.

The end of the year provides a natural opportunity for us all to take stock, draw a line under what has gone before and start afresh.

Some farmers are already busy with their first lambs.

Hard work, but the bouncing arrival of new life offers fresh hope that the new year will be better than the last.

All of us here at The Cumberland News wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and, however good 2007 has been, we sincerely hope that 2008 is even better.