When I was 15 I met  Ian Harvey when I joined the Order of DeMolay (a Masonic-sponsored group for young men). We became friends and remained very good friends until his death from cancer, five years ago. Ian was Jewish, and he said how he really liked it when Chanukah and Christmas overlapped. While they obviously don’t always, they do this year.

And so, I wish my Jewish brothers and sisters, a very Happy Chanukah.

And, to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, a very Merry Christmas.

And to all, a safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! May 2012 be a great one for us all. God bless.