Christmas 2022

I am continuing this year the tradition of publishing at Christmas the 1935 poem by Ogden Nash, “A Carol for Children.” Last year I introduced the poem by writing:

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.

Sadly, a similarly dark appraisal seems fitting this year. While the grim toll of Covid has abated, the pandemic has not left us altogether, and it has been joined by new concerns of a grave nature. Chief among them is the war in Ukraine. That war has not only brought devastation to that gallant country, but raised the specter of a wider conflict with potentially unimaginable consequences. At home, the economy has brought hardship to some, and many economists fear that even rougher waters lie ahead.

Also at home, we are experiencing a pandemic of political division. A year ago, I wrote:

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.

Today, threats to democracy at home and abroad are apparent, along with the need for courage and determination to respond. And, as we respond, nothing is more important than the message of hope conveyed by Ogden Nash.

In conclusion, and as a Christmas message, I cannot improve on my observation from last year:

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.