The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Never Give Up Hope:

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

December 21, 2016

What were you expecting this year? Were your plans fullfilled or did everything you were looking forward to, fall apart.

Were unexpected obstacles thrown in your path?

Did you suffer a break-up, a conflict at work, or at home?

Are you having a problem with the generation gap-understanding your parents-dealing with your children?

How about money issues. Are there people on your Christmas list that you want to buy for but can't. Are there charities near and dear to your heart, but your money is spread to thin for you to be able to help?

Do you want to visit your family and relatives, but work, ill health, money concerns or maybe the weather got in the way?

Has someone near and dear to you died, or who you've counted on for everything suddenly became ill, and you've become the caretaker?

Many are not feeling the joy of Christmas due to overwhelming circumstances.

We have seen it in city, state, and federal government issues where one takes a stand for what they believe in, but it seems to cause havic, and goes against the other person's way of thinking.

For instance the legislation pushed through the federal government December 19th at the 11th hour by the Obama Administration, according to Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood, was a job-killing regulation as part of the administration's "war on coal...It hurts jobs, communities, and families."

So now, just a few days before Christmas, many are feeling hopeless and discouraged.

Hopelessness is when the candle is snuffed out and there is complete darkness. But even then, there is hope.

It reminds me of the wonderful music sung annually at many churches' candlelight services, or at the Christmas concerts at school when Mrs. Joanne Hilligoss, Southern and West Central's past music director, would always end with a gymnasium full of children, families, and faculty by having them stand with candles lit singing "Silent Night."

This was the highlight of the concert, to hear almost every person join in song. But when the candles were blown out, there was darkness. But, it didn't end there. The resonating music "Joy To The World" would resound throughout the auditorium and halls as lights slowly came back on. And, there was peace and joy as everyone left the concert.

I miss the "real" music of Christmas in our schools that brings "comfort and joy."

In such a lost, and messed up environment, how can we find peace except at the foot of the manger. Because of Christmas-there is Always Hope!