We are drowning in an ocean of greed, materialism, egotism and a life without any real direction. So I am sending to the Infant Jesus this plea for help for all humanity:

Save us from the thick crust of egoism that we have developed in our lifestyle, which stops us from looking beyond ourselves and caring about our neighbour;

Save us from the aura of greed that has enveloped the walls of our hearts and is destroying any semblance of sensitivity towards what is right and proper for the good of the planet we live in;

Save us from the pervading smug feeling of: ‘If I’m alright, then all is well with the world’;

Save us from deluding ourselves that by simply donating to various organisations asking for help we are doing our bit for ‘charity’. Real charity involves self-sacrifice, the giving of self to others, especially to those within our circle: family, friends and neighbours;

Save us – the elderly generation – from adopting the attitude of: ‘I’ve done my share; it is now the time for me to enjoy myself’;

Save our middle-aged and younger generation who think they know it all and have it all because they believe the digital generation is the superior one; and that all you need in life is a screen in your hand to solve all your problems. This gives a totally false illusion that you are on top of all the problems that may arise.

Never have human beings been lonelier than now, as the contacts made in this technological age are very superficial; or worst still, in certain instances, liable to create horrible situations.

Please put back into our dictionary the words sacrifice, self-discipline, obedience, respect for authority, moral values and dignity.