“To the hundreds of thousands of people celebrating today the birth of Christ, from Barb, me and our family, I extend to you and to your families a very Merry Christmas.

Even in the dark and cold that are such a feature of this time of year, even in the face of the tragedy and sacrifice that has marked the pandemic we are still experiencing, this is a time for joy, for celebration, for thanksgiving and for hope.

As we have all seen the lights and decorations around us, reminders of the happiness associated with Christmas, we are also a bit dispirited by the effects of the pandemic.

But those lights and decorations are not only a reminder of a holiday that is among the happiest, but they are accompanied by many other traditions that will still be a part of our celebration, but experienced differently.

I know it will be hard for you, as it will be for me, not to be with children and grandchildren and parents.

Especially in the case of the grandchildren, they bring that certain sense of innocent joy to Christmas Eve and Christmas morning but this year we will have to find ways to experience that differently, maybe with FaceTime or photos sent by phone.

And while you’re at it, think of someone who is alone or one of the many who are struggling, and give them a call too.

And we can celebrate our blessings. We live in the greatest city in the greatest country in the world, founded on a set of values admired around the world.

We live in a place where in the face of an unprecedented health crisis we have cared for each other and we have been so well served by thousands of frontline workers who have shown such courage and dedication.

So, let’s stand together in joy and thanksgiving on this Christmas Day, follow the public health advice to celebrate only with the people you live with and promise each other that next Christmas can see us return to the great coming together of family normally represented by this day.

“Merry Christmas to all.”