I hesitated to make this journal for fear of contributing to the clutter of holiday journals, but I ultimately decided to do so. This is a time of year that I greatly enjoy. I celebrate Christmas though I similarly wish a wonderful holiday to those who celebrate Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or who have already celebrated the Prophet's birthday (peace be upon him) on Milad un Nabi which was, in the Gregorian Calendar, on December 12.

I hope everyone is able to the best of their abilities to overlook the inevitable stress and difficulties of this time of year and cherish the more pleasant and generous aspects of the holidays: to be with loved ones or to undertake charitable acts. And of course, lots of wonderful food.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season and, when the time comes, a happy New Year.