This goes out to those facing less than joyous times.
To those feeling disconnected.
To those who perceive the season’s festivities as an elaborate form of escapism from the enormous, inexcusable extent of suffering in our world.
To those who hear the backdrop of cheery holiday songs as a distant, clanging cacophony signaling an alarming denial of our plight.
You are not alone.
How can we sing joyously while oppression runs rampant?
How can we sing joyously while children are abused and neglected?
How can we sing joyously while women are degraded, exploited, and assaulted?
How can we sing joyously while lives are mercilessly and senselessly stricken from our human family?
How can we sing joyously while future generations are jeopardized, as our planet is poisoned and its precious resources voraciously consumed?
Like a discordant choir, those joyous notes hardly mask the notes of affliction.
Merrymaking while upholding the status quo does little to alleviate the world’s suffering.
Certainly, some degree of escapism has its place.
But so does facing the music.
Even small actions toward bettering our conditions can make a difference.
Please share if this rings true for you.
Hear, hear.
If ye lament, lament then with these.
If ye make merry, make ye then merry as a victory cry over this darkness.
Like the victory cry of a newborn’s first breath.
Even this newborn Messiah.
Thanks for your response, Todd. Though there are many whose hardship seems insurmountable, I do agree that any perceived victory over darkness could be considered cause for celebration, or at least an infusion of hope during difficult times.