It should not be lost on anyone that this holiday comes immediately after the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. The future is hopeful, and the days have already started getting brighter. Merry Christmas, HN!
Except in the southern hemisphere.
The difference to my family's place in Norway right now (-21C/-5.8F) is stark. As a child, coming out of summer, it would get colder and colder, you'd start seeing the snow .. and then soon after there'd be the magic of Christmas.
In the southern hemisphere, there's just nothing of the same. Oh well, no need to clear the driveway to drive in the morning at least.
Merry Christmas to everyone here. My first as a fully separated man after a two decade marriage/relationship fell through a year ago. Split custody of kids, I had them on Xmas Eve (the main one for me as a Norwegian) and also in the morning today Sunday / Christmas Day. House is going to be very quiet when they're gone for the day, but the peace in the house has made it all worth it. It's funny when you finally realise that the best thing you can do for them is to stop fighting for something that can't be saved - and you know everyone will come out stronger/ better as a result.