Let us open our doors and our hearts this Christmas

There is a saying that Christmas brings out the best in us. Warmth, hospitality, humour, welcome, solidarity, generosity, concern for others, conviviality, sociability — these are all Christmas virtues and Irish virtues.

They are values and attributes worth cherishing in these times that are harsh for many in society.

However, if we are honest, Christmas also often brings out the worst in many of us in the form of waste, conflict, severe intoxication and violence, leading to grief and misery.