It’s that time of year when most of us dig a little deeper, to reflect.

The Christmas season and the end of another year is always a time to look both back and ahead.

For Quebec, 2013 was a year when many of us questioned our place and future here. It was a year where attempts were made to divide us.

The mean-spirited charter of values succeeded in creating a schism, designed solely to pit the majority against the minorities. It created a solution where no problem existed..

We had more language tension and were laughed at across the globe when overzealous language inspectors deemed the word “pasta” illegal and dangerous for francophone ears.

My guess is that most Quebecers of all languages simply shook their heads at the absurdity of the situation.

Remember Meaghan Moran. She was the teenager who had the guts to stand up to language bullies. She used to work at the IGA on the South Shore, but when told she couldn’t speak English in the lunch room, she quit -- and then she called us.

I hope her Christmas if filled with happiness and joy. We need more Meaghan Morans.

Now, we have these deep thinkers at the language office going after Haitian-born hospital workers for speaking Creole to each other.

What’s next? I used to joke about making it illegal to speak English or any other language in public, but now I wonder what’s next…

The latest wave of hysteria comes from this group of thin-skinned language hawks called “Unis contre la Francophobie.”

Victimization is alive and flourishing in Quebec at the end of 2013.

There is no widespread “francophobie” in Quebec. Let’s face it, there are idiots on both sides. We live here because we want to, and most of us are respectful of what is a lively and dynamic culture. Just because we don’t buy Marie Mai records or watch "Tout le monde en parle,” or give a tinkers cuss about what Julie Synder is up to doesn’t mean we are anti-anything. Ask most Quebeckers about Blue Rodeo or The Tragically Hip and you’ll get blank stares.

If Santa is listening, perhaps a nice present under the tree for Maria Mourani, the former Bloc MP who now embraces Canada. But, let’s get some coal out for the two so-called leading lights of this government.

Madame Marois has been prancing about Europe talking up Quebec separation, again. The thing is, the world looks at Canada as a success story.

Jean François Lisee tells us that Quebecers are becoming less Canadian and the rest of the country is becoming increasing indifferent to Quebec.

I’ve met many Canadians who love Quebec and realize that the presence of Quebec is part and parcel of the Canadian identity. Most francophone Quebecers I’ve meet are generous in spirit and not inward looking.

In 2014, we will face more challenges. Some will say they've had enough and will move on. We will all be lessened every time someone makes that choice.

My Christmas wish to you is that I hope you can find some magic in the spirit of the season.

And that we all face the New Year with resolve and hope.

Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Noel. Merry Christmas to you all, and see you in 2014.