Reposted from Philly Future:

I wanted to take a moment, at this early hour, to wish you all, the Philadelphia community, a Merry Christmas.

This Christmas will be the most special in my life, the first Christmas for my daughter Emma. And I can’t help but share with you my love and excitement.

And I can’t help but share how blessed I feel to be part of the great team of volunteers that run this service, or to be a fellow member of our online community.

But I feel hesitant. Because in the presence of so much personal joy, outside my window, there are countless families struggling with loss. From Star’s family to the the 400 souls who have been murdered this year, to the 1,100 children who are homeless and on the streets, times are hard for all too many.

So let me take this moment, and join Carol Towarnicky at the Daily News and share my liberal Christian faith and ask you all for a prayer.

That we may all be instruments of peace, love, faith, hope, joy and understanding in this coming year. No matter what religion we may follow. No matter what label we divide ourselves by.

Merry Christmas.