There are good reasons why sacred time is embedded in human history. There is an undeniable holiness to setting aside the usual everyday activities and fully honoring God's miracles. Even amidst the sadness and disruption of COVID, we celebrate the gifts that the Divine has bestowed upon us. And in the cold, bleak winter, our lights shine and bring out the good in us. Whether it's Christians lighting the Christmas tree, Jews lighting the Hanukkah menorah, Hindus lighting the Diwali festive row of lights, or African Americans lighting the Kwanzaa kinara, we summon our best selves at this time of year.
Lighting up the winter's darkness, even in COVID distancing, the internet connects us to our families, friends and community. Videos and photos online evoke appreciation and awe. We cannot and do not ignore the empty seats at the celebrations due to COVID. Sadness that we can't be with loved ones in person has affected us all. But we send loving faces across cyberspace and the glowing smiles are memories for a lifetime. The internet spreads them far and wide so that we see relatives we haven't visited for years. And we connect with friends we haven't talked to in what seems like forever. The number of emails, Zoom calls, and text messages are beyond anything we've ever experienced.
Happy sounds are spread through YouTube and the like. Students at universities, Broadway icons, and music greats offer their gifts in a tidal wave of joy. We may have different understandings of the Divine, but the music's spirit easily spreads. Yes, our theologies differ. As a kid, I had no context and thought that the song, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was actually "O Little Tiny Buffalo." Despite my ignorance, I showed respect and smiled as my friends sang it. The guffaws in response to my gaffe merged with the many laughs and giggles of the season.
While I'm not Christian, how can I not be inspired driving through my neighborhood where people set up glowing trees, glittering reindeer and smiling Santas? And my aching knee immediately felt better at a local physical therapy clinic when I saw the sign, "Grandma got run over by a reindeer," with a boot and crutches propped up against it.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel when folks of all faiths volunteer to feed our city's food insecure or supply toys to children needing a dose of love. We're together in our desire to give back and make a difference.
And aren't we inspired when we see efforts for peacemaking globally? The Women's Federation of World Peace brings women together to share their efforts to help needy families and victims of domestic abuse.
New peacemaking efforts emerge daily. A colleague, Robert Patteri, is creating a website with stories of people overcoming differences and learning from their biases; whether racial, relational, religious, political, national or sexual. "By hearing and connecting with a community of people who have learned to love one another despite their differences, the hope is that we can each play our part in choosing the unity necessary to heal our world one story at a time."
Healing is what we need now more than ever. I can't recall a period where there's been more desperation and despair, hate and conflict, division and denigration. Never have we needed stories of good works and repair of the world more than we do now. Share your stories of kindness and generosity with friends and family. And maybe when the celebrations are over, the light of our humanity will continue to shine.
Contact Deborah Levine, an author, trainer/coach and editor of the American Diversity Report, at deborah@diversityreport.com.