Let’s cool down the rhetoric and reconnect with the meaning of the holiday season

It’s the time of the year that most folks fancy-dress  their home with Christmas and Hanukkah lights. Some households began ”dressing” their homes soon  after Halloween. 

Back in the day my dad drove us “to the other side of the Island” to see the holiday decorations. (Staten Island was divided similarly to Long Island’s south and north forks.) My siblings and I would be awe-struck by the dazzling  lights—the gaudier the better.

 My childhood home was  decorated with an  extravaganza of lights that Dad hung after Thanksgiving. Mom, ever proper, wanted to tone it down, but with six kids clamoring for bigger and better,  she was no fool and gave in. 

Genetically engineered, Mom’s soft spot became mine. We acquiesced to our sons’ requests for twinkling and strobe lights. I didn’t get the delight;  the twinkling and blinking lights gave me a facial tick. So after my kids left home, my decorating was toned down. 

Christmas and Hanukkah lights, whether gaudy, modest, twinkling, or strobe,  are symbolic of  celebration, joy, and peace. Our hamlets are aglow with lights, decorated evergreens, and pretty storefronts. However, these lights belie the darkness in our  world.

Recently , I was in traffic behind a car with a crude bumper sticker aimed at our president. I felt a surge of anger but kept my cool — hard for a Sicilian.)  Everyone is entitled to their point of view, however, was it necessary to display such vulgarity. 

This is not an isolated incident. I’ve seen vulgar and hateful words displayed on flags hanging from porches and flag poles. Ironically, these flags are flown next to the American flag, which symbolizes freedom and justice. 

I was attempting to back out of a parking space when a pickup truck pulled in behind me blocking my exit. I  waited patiently then  tapped the horn, Nada! I tried to maneuver around the truck, forcing the driver to move forward. The driver opened his window and rudely bellowed, “Don’t you know how to use reverse?”  When did civil discourse fall out of vogue?

Make no mistake about it, we are living in messy times. The United States—more  accurately described as the divided states —  is split between red and  blue states. I am taking writer’s license to describe the extremes within these states:  Magenta and Neon blue. Although eyepopping, extremism is associated with suboptimal function and mental health risks. 

Rhetoric is so amped-up it’s hard to follow the bouncing ball of politics. On social media we are divided into “us” and “them.”  Posting an innocent comment on social media platforms, can turn into a political free-for-all. Displaying tasteless memes and posting insulting barbs is commonplace. 

The COVID pandemic brought out the best and worst in human behavior. Some folks believe the pandemic is contrived and mask-wearing is unwarranted. Others consider vaccines dangerous. Many feel that mask-wearing, and vaccine mandates constitute human rights violations. The sheer volume  of misinformation that’s circulating, is mind boggling.

Sadly within the pandemic, another pandemic has emerged. Violent crimes are  on the rise. The  fires of “isms” (racism and sexism) still burn out of control. These “isms” are stroked daily by political fire-starters, social media or your next-door neighbor. 

Our kids and grandkids are caught in the crossfire of adults acting badly. Have we lost sight that our kids learn by example? 

I am bewildered. Martin Luther King admonished: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness.” 

 Can we love one another by putting our political differences aside and be Americans? 

Can we fully accept those whose choice of whom they love is different than ours? 

Can we forgive those who have caused us grief and heartache? 

Can we enjoy  the holidays instead of merely surviving? 

Can we take another look at the meaning behind our celebrations? 

Can we be the salt of the earth and bring out the true flavor of what it is to be truly alive?

Can we dispel the sins of hatred and intolerance? 

Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal church, urges  us to    “End all things ugly in the world and replace it with love.” Can we? 

 Christmas and Hanukkah lights  are emblematic of peace, joy, good will and love. I have the audacity to ask:  What good are those lights if our inner light is dim? 

Our happiness is all mixed up with each other’s happiness and our peace with  each other’s peace. There is a light buried within each of us. Can we call it forth and let it shine through us? 

Perhaps , the next person will see our light , catch it, and pay it forward. Together we  could put on the armor of light,  walk out of the darkness, and illumine the world with love.

Could it be as simple as that? 

Happy Holidays to my faithful readers! Abundant blessings!