I follow again this year the tradition of RINOcracy.com to publish at Christmas the 1935 poem by Ogden Nash, “A Carol for Children.” The carol is a somber one, written at a difficult time, but still expressing hope. Each year I have harbored the notion that at the end of the following year, it might be appropriate to replace Nash’s carol with a more joyful song or poem. That has not happened yet, however, and it is surely not the case this year.
Nash wrote of a Christmas beclouded by the laws of the ledger and the sword, and this year we bear an additional burden: the deadly pandemic that has cost so many lives and will cost many more. It is a Christmas when it is even dangerous for families to engage in the treasured routine of gathering together to celebrate the day, share memories and express their love for one another.
And yet, even at this terrible time, those of us who have been spared, and whose families have been spared, have much for which we can be thankful. We have seen countless acts of courage and kindness, starting with the extraordinary efforts of healthcare providers working to save lives, often under desperate conditions that few of them could have even imagined. And there are many others who risk their own safety to serve others and to keep the wheels of society turning: those “essential workers” whom the Center for Disease Control has rightly decided should have priority in receiving vaccinations.
Today’s scenes of bravery, dedication and human resilience are surely a source of hope and a reason for joining Nash to envision a sweeter Christmas for, if not sooner, the children of today’s children.
A Carol for Children
God rest you, merry Innocents,
Let nothing you dismay,
Let nothing wound an eager heart
Upon this Christmas Day.
Yours be the genial holly wreaths,
The stockings and the tree;
An aged world to you bequeaths
Its own forgotten glee.
Soon, soon enough come crueler gifts,
The anger and the tears;
Between you now there sparsely drifts
A handful yet of years.
Oh dimly, dimly glows the star
Through the electric throng;
The bidding in temple and bazaar
Drowns out the silver song.
The ancient altar smokes afresh,
The ancient idols stir;
Faint in the reek of burning flesh
Sink frankincense and myrrh.
Gaspar, Balthasar, Melchior!
Where are your offerings now?
What greetings to the Prince of War,
His darkly branded brow?
Two ultimate laws alone we know,
The ledger and the sword –
So far away, so long ago,
We lost the infant Lord.
Only the children clasp his hand;
His voice speaks low to them,
And still for them the shining band
Wings over Bethlehem.
God rest you, merry Innocents,
While innocence endures.
A sweeter Christmas than we to ours
May you bequeath to yours.
* * * *
Christmas is a unique day for Christians, bringing not only special joy but special responsibilities. Nevertheless, the values Christmas proclaims—peace, love and reconciliation—are not the exclusive province of one religion or indeed of all religions. Thus, one hopes that believers and non-believers alike might embrace the Christmas spirit and celebrate the occasion in a way that is meaningful to each. In that spirit, I hasten to wish all a Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Doug. In the midst of all the turmoil in our nation and the world, there are silver linings…one of them being able to open one of your blog posts and find new information, a reasonable outlook and food for thought. Best wishes to you for good health during these pandemic times! Between a new administration and the new vaccines, there is much to bring us a more hopeful 2021.
Doug:
Oh, what fun Nash would have had dashing through the dicta with “snapchat,” “google,” and “tweet!” As I expressed to you earlier, I’m looking forward to 12th Night plus a fortnight, to doubly sore arms, to less disturbing and dreamless sleep, to attending unmasked events, to receiving less breathless ‘news’ of all flavors and to visiting family and friends far and near. So whatever your 20-20 vision was, please join me in wishing for a calmer, peaceful, healthy and, yes, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Three cheers, Doug, for the tradition of having Nash’s A Carol for Children bear the holiday wishes for your readers. Very appropriate! I had just listened to Tom T Hall sing his Country-Western song “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine”, which always, strangely, brings tears to my eyes. Old dogs are comforting and great company for those in need of companionship, wine may ease a person’s mind a bit of concerns and stress, but it’s children that are the most important reason, in my mind, to leave the world a better place than we now find it. All the best for those efforts in the coming year.
Thank you, Doug, for your faithful endeavors over these difficult times. I pray for your continued good health that your faithfulness may endure (to our benefit, to be sure).
A very happy Christmas to you.
Comments are closed.