Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bob Stannard, an author, musician and former lobbyist. This piece first appeared in the Bennington Banner.
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
— ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’, John Lennon & Yoko Ono
As I write this, Christmas Day is on the horizon. As you’re reading this, Christmas Day will be in your rear view mirror and New Year’s here. The half of our family that lives in upstate New York will be arriving on Monday. The other half, of course, live right here in Manchester. They just returned home from a five-week adventure in Burma (we joined them for the first three weeks) and have reopened their Burmese restaurant “Moonwink.” They’re back in the swing of things. Once our daughter and her family arrive, we too, will be in the “swing of things.” We’ll be cooking, baking, wrapping, chatting up a storm and enjoying our time together, time that seems to grow shorter every year.
All across this great land most, but not all, American families will have the good fortune of coming together and joining in the fun and mystery of our “dark season.” Today, as I write this, it is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. For too many it feels like the longest.
Many of our fellow Americans live lives less fortunate. Too many are cold, poor, hungry and frightened. Not everyone is born rich or to a happy home. Nearly 40 million people in America live in poverty. Our total population is 626 million, thus roughly 6% of our fellow American are in trouble. For those interested in more facts on poverty you can go here: https://www.povertyusa.org/facts
For your New Year’s resolution, instead of thinking about that gym membership (which you should already have) or that new fad diet you’ve always wanted to try (did it work last year?), perhaps resolve to do something that has more permanence in your life. Think about how you feel this time of year. Think of the love, the compassion, the caring, the giving, the coming together of friends and family that occurs between Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Now, ask yourself if there is any way that you can keep these feelings going throughout the year? Have we come to the place where Christmas is the only thing left that unites us?
A foreign country with evil intentions is working relentlessly to divide us. There’s a calculated and concentrated effort afoot to undermine who we are, what makes this nation great and how we became “that shining city on the hill.” Like the Battle of Gettysburg the enemy is making a run at conquering the hill. If we cannot find a way to stay united, versus aiding and abetting our foes, then our foes will take the hill.
No American wants this to see us divided, but how do we come together? By not succumbing to fear and hate and instead practicing tolerance and love. You’re saying to yourself, “Yeah, that sure does sound simple, Bob,” and you’d be right. It is simple. Try it. What do you have to lose? A little love can go a long way, and lord knows we could all be a little more tolerant (present company included). The Bible says to love thy neighbor. It turns out that’s not such a bad idea. It would go a long way towards uniting (or reuniting) America. It could be a good start, at least.
So as the song goes: “A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.”
My heartfelt thanks to all of my faithful, constant readers – fans and foes alike.
