Amid today’s chaos
and cruelty, it would be easy to lose heart. Fire and floods engulf
the planet, and there may be worse to come. Hatred stalks the land
and much of the world. Dishonor, cronyism, bigotry, and conspiracist
paranoia seem now to be governing principles in our democracy. It is
a dark time for our country and for all of humankind.
Yet it is also a
time when we celebrate hope, light, and love, when we remember the
past and look to the future, and when we draw strength from our
families, our friends, our community, and our traditions. In a year
like 2019, the end of year holidays are more important than ever.
We celebrate hope
most of all. Without hope, we cannot create the future that we need
to create if we are to save the planet that is our only home. Without
hope, we lose courage and learn fear. Without hope, we are frozen in
place, unable to move forward when that is what we must do.
We celebrate light
because with it, we can find our way. Without it, we will be lost in
literal darkness and in the darkness of ignorance.
We celebrate love
because without love, without cooperation and compassion, our species
cannot long survive. Alone, we are frightened, hopeless, and weak. In
community with others, we can be courageous, hopeful, and strong.
We remember the
past, not because can return to it or because we are destined to
repeat it, but because by understanding it we can better understand
ourselves. We can build on the good we have done and begin to right
past wrongs.
Let us celebrate
hope, light, and love, and together build a future for our planet and
for all of us.
