It is certainly difficult to be optimistic when we are bombarded daily with stories of wars, tyrants, cruelty and famine. For the holiday season, I suggest we sit down and remind ourselves how lucky we are to live here in Dunany.

Many of you probably have a decorated Christmas tree at home. But have you ever wondered where this tradition comes from? You have to go back to the 16th century, in Alsace, to see the first stories or observations of a tree decorated for the Christmas party. And why a tree? According to Jewish and Christian traditions, the fir tree is a symbol connecting sky, earth and soil with its roots.

In Canada, the first Christmas tree was installed on December 25, 1781 by the family of Baron Frederick-Adolphus Riedesel, in the Sorel area, which was quite an event for the inhabitants of the region.

In 1841, Prince Albert convinced his wife, Queen Victoria, to bring a real tree inside Windsor Castle and decorate it with fruit, nuts and sweets. For ecological reasons (yes, already at the time), a small tree was installed indoors but only on Christmas Eve.

Traditionally, it is the parents who decorate it when the children are in bed so that they will be amazed on Christmas morning.

Our traditions in Dunany are also very much alive. There will therefore be two services at St-Paul Church on December 24.

2024 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

A Family Service for the younger generation at 4:00 PM lead by professor Jim Finch.
A Prayer service at 8:00 PM with Hugh Mitchell at the pulpit with the Dunany Glee Club.

We hope many of you will be in attendance.

The members of the board of directors of the DCA, Alex, Bonnie, Marina, Brian, Johanne, Lynn, André, Trudy and I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas as well as a peaceful and healthy New Year.