WE CAN all be like Santa Claus all year round. We don’t have to wait for the special days that only occur once a year.

Why? Because we have a spirit of goodness that is ever-present in each one of us. "'Tis the season to be jolly all year round - the season of goodwill to all mankind."

Yes we partied at Christmas. We celebrated the festive season with all the jollity we possess, and spread loving kindness all around. Presents and cards are just tokens, even though we do love receiving them. Christmas allows us the opportunity to feel good, and with this feeling we can focus on what goodness really is - because it lives deep within us all, always. Let’s share this feeling, which we can now recognise, letting it grow stronger and stronger.

When I was a child, my gran’s and my aunt’s cottages created that welcoming, warm, congenial, loving atmosphere which the Swedes call "hygge," with gas lamps, candles and glowing log fires. I felt the season light up within me, drawing out my own deep feelings of happiness and love. I seemed to see the whole world through a magical personal kaleidoscope.

Today, we know that we can attribute that deep, permanent, loving goodness to what took place more than 2,000 years ago - which is why Christians celebrate this time of year. But every day is an opportunity to let our gifts of goodness, generosity and loving kindness flow out, like an ever-running stream, to everyone around us. Let’s take this opportunity together - now.

Ged Fidler-Platt, The Goodness Consciousness Movement, Kendal