We basically have one week. I speak not of the number of shopping days left. Neither do I dismiss the beauty of the recent Hanukkah celebration.
I speak of how many days left we get to practice. Or at least think we do.
Knowing Christmas is coming, the goose is (or we are) getting, uh, larger, the festivities have begun, cards are in the mail, and we have a week to practice. We have a week to focus on what is best…
… bringing good cheer…
… from everywhere… fill the air…
Maybe that’s one of the three zillion things I love about Christmas. As a Christ-follower or not, there exists a societal focus on what is best…
… the beauty of rest…
… tidings of comfort and joy…
We’re generous in hospitality. We’re more thoughtful of others. We’re mindful of those who are dear to us — here or here no longer. We also are aware that we have a role to play…
… let there be peace on Earth…
… and let it begin with me.
That’s actually one of the harder things about being a semi-humble current events blogger. Allow me to briefly elaborate.
In our desire to cover what’s current and talk about what people are talking about, we strive to be relevant and thus aware of what’s actually going on. In 2021, as a country we found ourselves attempting to navigate through multiple fairly sticky issues. For example:
- The economy and jobs, including the labor shortage and “great resignation”
- A near 40 year high for inflation; our dollar is worth increasingly less
- Covid-19: an appropriate response by both the people and government; how far should each go?
- A dire surge in crime; understanding why there is such an increase especially in homicides and looting
- Shaky foreign affairs, noting Afghanistan, China and Russia
Not to negate the very real challenges in education, equality, and justice, etc.
Friends, these are tough issues. None will immediately dissipate simply because we turn the calendar to 2022.
But I have this thought that we might be better at solving the issues or at least making progress if we carry forward our focus from the week ahead…
Good cheer fills the air from everywhere… not just on my side of the proverbial political aisle…
Rest, comfort and joy should be encouraged to all by all… not just to those whom I like how they think…
And peace…
Too often people proclaim they want it, wish for it, and conclude that thought with “hey, you go first.” In other words they act as if peace begins with someone else…
If only the Democrats… If only the Republicans… If only white people… If only persons of color…
My sense is a far healthier, more productive statement — for those who want both peace and progress — is… “if only me…”
Tidings of good cheer can fill the air all year round. We can make progress. We can navigate through the hard stuff… if we remember that peace, progress and solution never start with somebody else.
Respectfully… enjoying the week to come…
AR