December is upon us once again,

A new year will soon arrive,

We all have inside, our own struggles

And fears in life, faith comforts.

I’ve learned to count my losses

Instead of that which rests in front

Of me.

Many wonderful people and great

Things have been shown to me, now.

The scars we carry, but the pain drifts

Away it seems, sorrow fades,

Is my fight or challenge any greater

Or less than another’s?

A picture says a thousand words,

Tonight, frozen in time, a memory,

You all are here, each one of you

Creates this moment, I am blessed.

Faces of old do not visit this place,

Different smiles shine tonight,

The gift of love is taken for granted,

Not easily earned, disappears.

The choice is ours to love or hate,

On this night, let your love be known,

There is one life that we have to live,

Much to the world we may give.

Peace is a desire for all of mankind,

Peace lives amongst us tonight,

The gift of love and peace is a precious

Treasure not to be taken for granted,

A gift from heaven, a gift from God.

Keith Garrett