Welcome, December – the month of holiday cheer!

Ah, December, the darkest month with the brightest holidays. From the single candle marking World AIDS Day on December 1st – to the eight candles of the Hanakuh menorah – to the galaxy of Christmas lights decorating homes and cities, we fight the night with light.

Speaking of Christmas, did you know…

That every elf has the same bell on the tip of their shoes?

That the two most popular Christmas colours after red and green are … silver and gold!

Donner and Blitzen are named for weather phenomenon … Donner means thunder in German and Blitzen means lightning!  So fog isn’t the only challenge for Reindeer!

The two most common words on gifts tags are “To” and “From”

The 12 days of Christmas, aside from being the Holiday’s most annoying Christmas Carol, is the period that in Christian theology marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi — the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany)

Here are your December quotes to help get your festive season off to a merry inspirational start!

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Everything that happens once can never happen again.  But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.’ – Arabic Proverb” quote=”‘Everything that happens once can never happen again.  But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.’ – Arabic Proverb” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Good judgement comes from experience.  And Experience? Well, that comes from poor judgement.’ – A. A. Milne” quote=”‘Good judgement comes from experience.  And Experience? Well, that comes from poor judgement.’ – A. A. Milne” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘I was married by a judge.  I should have asked for a jury.’ – Groucho Marx” quote=”‘I was married by a judge.  I should have asked for a jury.’ – Groucho Marx” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Diversity:  The art of thinking independently, together.’ – Malcolm Forbes” quote=”‘Diversity:  The art of thinking independently, together.’ – Malcolm Forbes” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and look like work.’ – Thomas Edison” quote=”‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and look like work.’ – Thomas Edison” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Be patient with yourself.  Self-growth is tender, it’s holy ground.  There’s no greater investment.’ – Stephen Covey” quote=”‘Be patient with yourself.  Self-growth is tender, it’s holy ground.  There’s no greater investment.’ – Stephen Covey” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.’ – Aristotle” quote=”‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.’ – Aristotle” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Fortune sides with him who dares.’ – Virgil” quote=”‘Fortune sides with him who dares.’ – Virgil” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘The only real disability in life is a bad attitude.’ – Scott Hamilton” quote=”‘The only real disability in life is a bad attitude.’ – Scott Hamilton” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty, but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.’ – Phyllis Diller” quote=”‘Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty, but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.’ – Phyllis Diller” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Winners are not afraid of losing.  But losers are.’ – Unknown” quote=”‘Winners are not afraid of losing.  But losers are.’ – Unknown” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed.  What would be left to strive for if everything were known.’ – Charles De Lint” quote=”‘Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed.  What would be left to strive for if everything were known.’ – Charles De Lint” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Conflict cannot survive without your participation.’ – Wayne Dyer” quote=”‘Conflict cannot survive without your participation.’ – Wayne Dyer” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Your impact on others is the only proof of your existence.’ – Silje Akselberg Iversen” quote=”‘Your impact on others is the only proof of your existence.’ – Silje Akselberg Iversen” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘A worthy relationship is an agreement that challenges and supports both participants.’ – Joseph Rain” quote=”‘A worthy relationship is an agreement that challenges and supports both participants.’ – Joseph Rain” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.’ – Zsa Zsa Gabor” quote=”‘I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.’ – Zsa Zsa Gabor” theme=”style2″]

And the thought I’d like to leave you with this month is:

December is one of my favourite months for many reasons. Principally though, it’s because the holiday spirit of generosity is infectious.

People are divided into those who are generous and those who are not – ‘philanthropist’ versus ‘miser’. The former views giving as a gift. The latter views it as a loss.

How often have you called someone who is stingy a “Scrooge”?

The world’s most famous miser is of course, from Charles Dicken’s classic, “A Christmas Carol .” It was published on the December 19th, 1843 and the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By the end of 1844 thirteen editions had been released.

The story of a miser and misanthrope who finds redemption has inspired hundreds of artistic interpretations for over 170 years.

“What’s today, my fine fellow?” said Scrooge.

“To-day!” replied the boy. “Why, Christmas Day.”

“It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it.”

And here’s a thought from Mr Dickens to light your way into the new year through this dark month, through these dark times. 

 “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol

What is your favourite version of The Christmas Carol?

• The 1951 version starring Alastair Sim
• Scrooge (1970), the musical film with Albert Finney
• Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983),
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
• or Scrooged, the eighties adaptation starring Bill Murray