Our nation's capital is always a busy place. The streets are filled at all hours with men and women rushing about on affairs of state or business. But at this special holiday time of year, there is a subtle change. The streets are as busy, or busier, but there is a different spirit in the air. For, just as the holiday song says, "the shoppers are rushing home with their treasures," gifts intended for loved ones and special friends.

Strange things, some of them, to be called "treasures." Certainly, there are gold watches and diamond rings and strands of pearls, true treasures. But, for the most part, the gifts are less valuable in monetary terms—things like gloves, socks, batteries for games and toys, books, scarves and even, sure to cause a little disappointment on the big eve or morning, children's underwear. Strange treasures, indeed!

And yet they are treasures in the best sense of the word. The men and women who rush them home in brightly colored packages, to be hidden away until Christmas or Hanukkah, have saved to buy them. They have thought and planned. They have tried to guess what the gift's recipient would most want and least expect. They have invested themselves in these treasures, and that is the most precious investment of all.

It is the same investment which Masonry, in all its branches and Bodies, encourages us to make—the investment of ourselves. Fraternity and brotherhood, those are wonderful and powerful words, treasure words. We have said that we care. We care for our families, our Brothers, our nation, our world. We are willing to spend our time and effort and compassion to help others.

We give treasures when we act in a Degree, giving the teachings of our Rite to our Brothers. We give treasures when we help children learn to read and speak in our Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs. We give treasures of time and personal commitment when we contribute to our hospitals. We give treasures when we spend time with an elderly and infirm Brother, making sure he knows he is not forgotten.

We gather treasures when we learn, and we give treasures when we teach. We share treasures when we meet the young man at the door of the Masonic Temple and open the doors for him, when we stand with him at his induction into the Fraternity, and when we sign his petition for the Scottish Rite Degrees.

In some ways, Masons live all year long with the spirit of the holidays. Like everyone, we sometimes lose our grasp on this spirit. Sometimes, for a moment, the rush overcomes the treasure. But it always returns to us. We are privileged, as Masons, to rush home with our treasures every day.

And so, on behalf of myself and all the members of the Supreme Council, I wish you a joyous and treasure-laden holiday!