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It is on the top of my wish list for the holiday season and for the rest of the year - peace on earth. We have many different traditions in this world for celebrating the time of the year with the shortest days and longest nights. I grew up as a member of a large family in Germany. On Christmas Eve, everyone helped with cleaning and decorating the house. My father and my older brother set up the Christmas tree and hung the ornaments. The rest of us were not allowed to enter the room until the Christmas Eve celebration. We usually had brass angels and bells to polish and songs to rehears on recorder, guitar, and piano. When finally the big moment came on Christmas Eve and we heard a bell ringing from the living room inviting us to enter, it was a glorious sight. The candles were lit, the decorations were glowing, presents were set up around the tree, and homemade cookies were on the table, covered with Mom's best linen. After several readings and many songs sung and played together, we were allowed to start opening presents. The conclusion of the evening was a family meal with Mom's exquisite potato salad and some Wieners. I remember finding my first pair of skis under the tree, symbolizing my readiness to join the big kids on their daily trips to the skiing resort across the street. Many of my fondest childhood memories were created during the season of caring and sharing.