EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:48 pm Tuesday, December 22, 2020

May your days be merry and bright

“May your days be merry and bright” – and the completion of that line, as we all know is, “and may all your Christmases be white.”

Penned by Irving Berlin, this song reminisces on white Christmases of yore, “just like the ones I used to know,” the lyrics reflect wistfully.

Well, here in Alabama, our white Christmases are few and far between, and although there is a chance of snowfall this Christmas Eve, treetops glistening with snow isn’t necessarily our wish for you.

We do, however, hope your days will be merry and bright.

This has been an undeniably difficult year, and even the arrival of “the holidays” can’t erase the struggles we have faced, both individually as well as collectively as a community.

Despite this truth, we here at the Franklin County Times are hopeful for better days ahead for all of us. We invite you to join us in that hopeful optimism.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise,” as Victor Hugo wrote in “Les Miserables.” Even with all the challenges 2020 has brought – chiefly, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and everything it has caused – we can be certain tough times don’t last forever.

In a season traditionally devoted to finding greater joy, to being thankful and generous and eager for the days ahead, let’s raise a glass – a cup of good cheer, if you will – to the hope for a happier horizon.

Since March it has sometimes seemed we had nothing but sad news to report, from hospitalizations and deaths to school closures and event cancellations. In spite of that, we know good has come from this year, and we know good will come in the years ahead.

Christmas present is here today, bringing joy that lasts.

As you go through your holiday season, we hope you find that joy that lasts. Even if you’re not getting to enjoy all the traditions that usually accompany the holiday season – whether you’re mourning the Christmas parades or reluctantly canceling you family gathering – let’s look on the bright side.

We know there is one.

Even the darkest night will end.

The sun will rise.

May your days be merry and bright.

Also on Franklin County Times
Watermelon Winners 2026
B: WATERMELON FESTIVAL, Franklin County
Griffin Traylor 
August 20, 2026
MOST UNUSUAL   First place: Lorena Bonilla (Russellville)     BEST DRESSED   First place: Aymar Bonilla (Russellville)   Second place: Candy Owens (La...
Byrd’s final song a fitting tribute
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree 
August 19, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — When organizers landed country music star Tracy Byrd as the headline performer for the 45th annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival,...
Russellville graduate deported
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – A 19-year-old Russellville High School graduate was deported from the United States on Aug. 9, according to the Department of Homeland ...
Locomotive gets new paint at Railroad Park
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RED BAY — The 1923 steam locomotive at the Railroad Park is getting a new paint job as work on a concrete pad, lighting and other features continues. ...
RMS kicks off character program
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RUSSSELLVILLE – Liberty Learning Foundation programs at Russellville Middle School now extend through all three grade levels with sixth graders studyi...
Major hire
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
RUSSELLVILLE GOLDEN TIGERS
RUSSELLVILLE LOOKS TO RIDE HIGGINS’ BOOST
By Matt St. Charles Sports Writer 
August 19, 2026
It was going to take a great opportunity for Darrell Higgins to leave Mars Hill at the end of last season. He’d been there for 10 years, coaching the ...
Obituaries
Obituaries
August 19, 2026
  John Wayne Terry Aug. 12, 2026   John Wayne Terry, 68, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 12. Visitation took place at Spry Memorial Chapel Aug. 18 f...
Still on the hunt
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
RED BAY TIGERS
By A. Stacy Long Sports Writer 
August 19, 2026
After enjoying a major year-over-year leap, Red Bay football instead took a step back over the offseason. Oh, my, boys basketball and baseball, what e...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *