Star comment: Festive celebrations must be put into context

As a dizzying year of celebration nears an end, Christmas gives us all the opportunity to rejoice.

Of course, this year's festive parties must be placed in context. Christmas 2012 has arrived at a time of continued economic hardship. Our thoughts are with local workers who have lost their jobs during a tough 12 months, and of the young workers who would love to find a job but have been thwarted in their search.

Shropshire is an enterprising county, however, and we are fortunate that an entrepreneurial spirit exists. The region has a disproportionately high number of small and medium-sized businesses, which have been working hard throughout the year to make the best of things.

Our retailers have played their part and it is to be hoped that the sales that will start in coming days will help to kick-start our region's economy.

Many people in Shropshire have faced difficulties brought about by the intemperate weather. We have been subjected to torrential downpours in December that have caused flooding – and erased any memories of the droughts we encountered earlier this year.

While families will celebrate tomorrow, our thoughts are also with those vulnerable, less fortunate members of society. Our region's homeless need a helping hand at this time of year and a number of altruistic organisations and individuals will spend tomorrow providing much-needed support.

The trend to make donations to charities – either financial or in kind – in place of sending Christmas cards has been a welcome fillip for a number of local good causes.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has been at the forefront of that fashion, dispensing gifts to children at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital rather than spending money on cards, and giving time to Shrewsbury Ark, rather than visiting constituents. It is an example to us all.

At this time of year, we are also reminded how fortunate we are that our emergency services provide life-saving work on 365 days of each year. More than 100 ambulance, fire and police staff will keep us safe from harm tomorrow, not to mention hundreds more nurses, carers and ancillary workers, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

Many Shropshire sons and daughters will also spend their Christmas on the front line in Afghanistan, continuing the war against terror that aims to keep our islands safe from attack.

One very special lady can look forward to a Christmas to remember tomorrow. The Queen has enjoyed a diamond year – in stark contrast to the year she endured 20 years ago. If Queen Elizabeth's 40th year on the throne was an annus horribilis, her 60th year has been an annus mirabilis – wonderful year – in which she has celebrated a royal wedding, her diamond jubilee and even skydived into the Olympics, or so it seemed.

We wish all of our readers a very happy and healthy Christmas.