THE SEASON OF GOODWILL
Thursday 23rd December, 1999
The season of goodwill
The Season of Peace and Goodwill is upon us again and this year, more than ever, the event is being celebrated.
Since the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago, the feast of Christmas has been marked throughout the world, in a wide variety of ways.
In recent years, however, the meaning of Christmas has been overtaken by commercialism and many children of today would be hard pushed to know, nor would they care, where it all began.
Since the countdown to the millennium began at the start of this year, emphasis has been placed on the parties and materialistic events planned to mark the turn of the century.
However, as the actual birthday approaches, it seems to be the religious events which have re-emerged to their rightful place.
In Omagh the only event organised for New Year's Eve is an ecumenical ceremony at High Street. The four churches in the district have organised a meaningful and truly Christian event which will bring together the people of Omagh who over the past year have had many hurdles thrown into their desired path of unity.
This time last year, Omagh was still reeling from the August bomb, with many of the injured still in hospital.
Many families were dreading a 'festive season' which to them meant the stark reality of homes which would be forever without wives, daughters, sons, fathers, brothers and sisters.
And although the stark reality remains the same for these families, we can only hope that the passing of time has been true to the old adage, and that healing has begun, even just a little.
Last year's bomb catapulted Omagh onto the world stage in a way no-one could have imagined nor wished for.
Throughout 1999, Omagh has still managed to make the headlines, especially with the Omagh Fund which has witnessed tremendous acts of generosity.
At the remembrance ceremony in August, thousands gathered for a solemn service of remembrance. The coming together and the shared grieving seemed to have a cathartic effect with many people wanting to move on and look towards the future.
That is not to say that all those who were so brutally murdered by the Real IRA on that warm August afternoon, will ever be forgotten. They will be forever a reminder of the high price people have had to pay for the disastrous chain of events over the past 30 years.
In September, Omagh was centre stage again, but this time on a much lighter note. The town, as the venue for the launch of the millennium celebrations, saw a 30,000 strong crowd gather in the Showgrounds to hear supergroup, the Corrs, and a showcase of local talent.
And this month, thousands took to the streets once again for the switching on of the Christmas lights and the arrival in town of Gay Byrne and Brian Kennedy.
Again the local community were united in an evening of high spirits and good entertainment.
So whilst the pain of the past will not be forgotten, it is tentatively that the people of Omagh look to the future with some optimism.
The giant leaps forward taken by the political leaders and the momentous events which have taken place in recent months, also allows for hope that nothing like the Omagh bomb will ever be allowed to happen again.
As people in Northern Ireland look towards the new millennium with anticipation, they have never had a better reason for feeling good. Because, despite the obstacles which may be placed in the way, there is at last in sight permanent peace for this troubled people.
At this time, we wish all the readers of the Ulster Herald a peaceful and happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
The season of goodwill
The Season of Peace and Goodwill is upon us again and this year, more than ever, the event is being celebrated.
Since the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago, the feast of Christmas has been marked throughout the world, in a wide variety of ways.
In recent years, however, the meaning of Christmas has been overtaken by commercialism and many children of today would be hard pushed to know, nor would they care, where it all began.
Since the countdown to the millennium began at the start of this year, emphasis has been placed on the parties and materialistic events planned to mark the turn of the century.
However, as the actual birthday approaches, it seems to be the religious events which have re-emerged to their rightful place.
In Omagh the only event organised for New Year's Eve is an ecumenical ceremony at High Street. The four churches in the district have organised a meaningful and truly Christian event which will bring together the people of Omagh who over the past year have had many hurdles thrown into their desired path of unity.
This time last year, Omagh was still reeling from the August bomb, with many of the injured still in hospital.
Many families were dreading a 'festive season' which to them meant the stark reality of homes which would be forever without wives, daughters, sons, fathers, brothers and sisters.
And although the stark reality remains the same for these families, we can only hope that the passing of time has been true to the old adage, and that healing has begun, even just a little.
Last year's bomb catapulted Omagh onto the world stage in a way no-one could have imagined nor wished for.
Throughout 1999, Omagh has still managed to make the headlines, especially with the Omagh Fund which has witnessed tremendous acts of generosity.
At the remembrance ceremony in August, thousands gathered for a solemn service of remembrance. The coming together and the shared grieving seemed to have a cathartic effect with many people wanting to move on and look towards the future.
That is not to say that all those who were so brutally murdered by the Real IRA on that warm August afternoon, will ever be forgotten. They will be forever a reminder of the high price people have had to pay for the disastrous chain of events over the past 30 years.
In September, Omagh was centre stage again, but this time on a much lighter note. The town, as the venue for the launch of the millennium celebrations, saw a 30,000 strong crowd gather in the Showgrounds to hear supergroup, the Corrs, and a showcase of local talent.
And this month, thousands took to the streets once again for the switching on of the Christmas lights and the arrival in town of Gay Byrne and Brian Kennedy.
Again the local community were united in an evening of high spirits and good entertainment.
So whilst the pain of the past will not be forgotten, it is tentatively that the people of Omagh look to the future with some optimism.
The giant leaps forward taken by the political leaders and the momentous events which have taken place in recent months, also allows for hope that nothing like the Omagh bomb will ever be allowed to happen again.
As people in Northern Ireland look towards the new millennium with anticipation, they have never had a better reason for feeling good. Because, despite the obstacles which may be placed in the way, there is at last in sight permanent peace for this troubled people.
At this time, we wish all the readers of the Ulster Herald a peaceful and happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0606
Published Date: 23-Dec-99
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.