Happy almost-Christmas!

It’s finally starting to feel like winter here in New York state, and this Advent has been very meaningful for me so far - lots of opportunities to serve and worship, which is the whole point, after all!

Instead of telling you all what I want this year, I thought I’d borrow a page from numerous columnists and share my list for other people.

1) For the Texas Rangers: a good pitcher to replace Cliff Lee (perhaps Zack Greinke?).

2) For Josh Hamilton: another year of sobriety and an injury-free season. (Another MVP award and trip to the World Series wouldn’t hurt, either!)

3) For the Baltimore Ravens: a win over the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback.

4) For the cast of “Community”: better ratings and some love from the awards shows (seriously, Emmys and Golden Globes???).

5) For everyone who’s unemployed: the chance to work again.

6) For everyone in the military who’s deployed, and their families: the chance to be together again.

7)  For everyone dealing with mental illness, or trying to help someone who is: the resources they need to do so.

Wishing you “joy, unspeakable joy,” peace and goodwill this season!

(Postage stamp photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.)