Since the beginning of RINOcracy.com, it has been a tradition 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 some following year, it might be appropriate to replace Nash’s carol with a more joyful song or poem. This is clearly not that year. Indeed, it is by far the darkest Christmas that many of us have known.
We remain in the grip of a deadly pandemic. The staggering toll of Covid has risen at an alarming rate and seemed more frightening with the arrival of each new variant. At the same time, we have all become fatigued by the pandemic and crave a return to “normal.” But when or whether we can depends on all of us. We need Nash’s message of hope more than ever—but courage and determination as well. I am compelled to offer my personal plea to any readers who have not been fully vaccinated, including a booster, to wait not a moment longer. And, even if fully vaccinated, to wear a mask in any public indoor spaces.
If the pandemic were not bad enough, we also suffered this year the outrage of January 6, which came too close to dealing a mortal blow to our political system. Tragically, the threats to democracy have continued and may grow even more ominous before the arrival of November 2024. Here as well, we need not only hope, but courage and determination to defend against those threats, and preserve democracy in America for us–and our children.
To end on a note of hope, I can only renew my thoughts from past years.
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.
“The ancient altar smokes afresh” — a very sad poem but very apt for our times. Wishing you and your family a pleasant holiday and happy new year.
ps I tasted heaven but never heard the voice of God.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too, Doug. And with hopes for a better New Year. I’m looking forward to further exchanges on the events of our day.
Dear Doug,
Thanks for the carol. It seems ridiculous to compare the plight of my little grandchildren with that of little “innocents” in 1935…but while mine are fortunate to be financially secure, they have endured the fear of an “evil unseen monster” (COVID), and the anxiety of separation from their friends/family/classmates/teammates, every time the dreaded words “someone tested positive” are uttered. My 7-year-old granddaughter sums-up Trump with the words “liar, liar, pants-on-fire,” then goes on with whatever she was doing…but my 9-year-old grandson has watched video-clips of the attack on the Capitol (in DC where his “Mimi and Granddad” live) with manifest concern. Impossible to know how all this has affected them…but then again, when I was only a couple years older than they are now, some neighbors were building fall-out shelters and we kids were forced to practice squeezing under our desks in the event of nuclear war.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too…and thanks again for keeping-on with your blog…the season wd be much darker without you.
Monica
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