Christmas spirit is all around us

It can be easy for people to be discouraged these days.

For it’s easy to find the darkness. It pokes and prods at us daily as we bear witness to world events, serving only to remind us of the shadows that can dim our spirits if we’re not careful.

The Russia-Ukraine war rages on with more than a million people, many of them civilians, dead or wounded. While many European nations are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing threat of Russian military action against them in the foreseeable future, other deadly conflicts continue to claim lives and destabilize nations throughout the world.

So too, military action by the American armed forces against Venezuela appears imminent, despite no credible justification for the taking of such a step.

We’ve also been the target of our once-close ally, with U.S. President Donald Trump talking openly of Canada as the 51st state, even as the Trump administration publicly contemplates the annexation of other countries and territories such as Greenland, the Panama Canal — and even the Gaza Strip.

These are dangerous times — politically and economically.

Yet we don’t need to go beyond our little corner of the world to see the difficulties that affect human life and dignity. We see the rising homelessness population in our city, the ongoing addictions crisis, and the record number of people who now rely upon the city’s food bank and soup kitchen in order to feed themselves and their respective families.

Many Brandonites — well, many Canadians, for that matter — are feeling increasingly anxious regarding their ability to afford the rising cost of groceries, while others worry about their job security and their ability to make their mortgage or rent payments. Still others are grappling with delays and shortages in our overburdened health-care system that prolong their pain and impair their recovery.

And 2026 isn’t looking easier.

So where do we look for hope? Where is the light, joy and goodwill of the season that we all yearn for?

Sometimes we can find it in the most unlikely of places, and all around us. And sometimes we should remind ourselves that we can find it in the kindness of neighbours and friends and family — and the actions of those we share our community with.

For all of us, regardless of our respective spiritual beliefs, the spirit of Christmas is found in the eager excitement and anticipation of children. It is found in setting our worries aside, if only for a short while, and spending time with friends and family. Most of all, however, it is found in making the season brighter for others.

The true joy of Christmas does not flow from the receiving of gifts, but rather from the realization that the giving of our time, resources and our goodwill helps to improve the lives of others at this time of year.

It is rooted in the knowledge that a pat on the back, a word of encouragement or a generous gesture of kindness goes a long way toward making the season brighter and more joyful.

That is a big reason why Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer achieved its goal of raising $90,000 for Christmas hampers this year. The organization is beginning its ninth decade in the city and, thanks to the efforts of many helpers, aims to deliver more than 1,700 hampers to needy families in and around Brandon.

It also explains the fact that at this moment, an army of volunteers is already preparing for tomorrow’s Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner at the Victoria Inn. Founded by the Addison family four decades ago, the annual event is expected to serve more than 3,000 meals tomorrow, free of charge.

Everyone is welcome — the less fortunate, the elderly, students who are unable to travel home for Christmas, as well as those who would simply enjoy the company of others on such a special occasion.

Those are just two of many examples of Brandonites giving their time, energy and compassion for the benefit of others, all of which proves that the Christmas spirit continues to be alive and well here in Brandon and Westman.

At a time of heightened anxiety and cynicism, there is no shortage of proof that we live in a city where its residents still care about each other. Like every community, we have our challenges but we continue to confront them together, united in our collective commitment to build a brighter, safer and more rewarding future for all.

That is the true spirit of Christmas — it is a reflection of our humanity.

On behalf of the management and staff of The Brandon Sun, we wish each of you peace, love and the happiest of Christmases.