"Christmas Prayer" by Lim Han Quan (Singapore)

Time flies, and it is again nearing the end of another year. While Christmas brings about celebratory spirit and festive joy, Christmas can also be a time to look back to reflect on the year that is going to pass. Every year has its own ‘emotional mountains’, some years more intense than the others – happiness, melancholy, joy, anticipation... As with every year, gratefulness is expressed to the entity above for giving the strength to triumph over tough times. As the year comes to a close, the prayer also reaches its tail end with a serene, tranquil mood. It then concludes with peacefully accepting the things that have happened this year, and making a wish that the next year will bring a more enriching and fruitful life.