A Christmas Wish List for All of Us
Well, Santa, it’s been quite a year! Seems that some people became very happy while many others plunged into unfathomable sadness and despair. Honestly, it doesn’t have to be this way, does it? Most of us really do want the same things — joy, hope, peace and a good laugh every day over something truly funny, not hurtful or mean. I know I’m showing my age when I say that I don’t want a darn thing wrapped in a box, I have more than enough stuff. But I do want some things that can’t fit in a box, and I think there are plenty of others who might want these eminently shareable gifts as well. So, here are the top five:
First, an end to endless scenes of misery inflicted by a government that seems to have forgotten that its primary job is to help ALL of the people live peacefully and fruitfully, enjoying the benefits of this great nation. The scenes of performative cruelty by agents of government are spreading a sickness of anger, cynicism and fear, a crisis of values in a nation that once believed in freedom and justice for all.
Second, related, a revival of the idea of CHARITY as a primary value for all people to practice every day — replacing selfish concern with what I want, and, instead, emphasizing what others truly need to live peaceful, satisfying lives. Related values of compassion, empathy, respect and genuine caring about the welfare of others — the idea of solidarity with our brothers and sisters on this small planet.
Third — you probably see a theme here — a cessation of “gotcha” political and civic rhetoric in which every crude remark evokes an equally crude response, or worse — especially among public officials and talking heads who like to call themselves “influencers.” This may require turning off X and TikTok for a while. But lifting up civil discourse as truly civil would go a long way toward enhancing the ability of our communities to solve problems and even achieve some greater “domestic tranquility.”
Fourth — ok, this is getting out of hand, I know — the gifts of knowledge, innovation and enlightenment, gifts that come from a culture and society that respects and values education at the highest levels. These are gifts that are more than utilitarian, more than what we need to go to work each day. These are gifts that must be shared throughout any society that truly believes in Democracy as a way of life. A society that tears down its universities is undermining its ability to steward Democracy for future generations. The corrosive diminishment of higher learning is eroding the very basis of our freedom and debilitating the ability of this nation to do the kind of research that leads to cures, solutions and discoveries that improve all lives.
Fifth, last but most important — we need genuine SERVANT LEADERS in public offices. Not power-crazy politicians. Not people so hungry for approval that they abandon their consciences and ignore our shared values. Not people out for revenge or self-aggrandizement or ways to build their own wealth. Servant leaders ask for nothing for themselves; they ask the people they serve what they need and then set about making it possible for their people to thrive. All of them, not just their friends.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the ultimate Servant Leader — the One who sacrificed all so that the rest of us can live. The truth of Christmas is found not in the trappings but in the doing…. let’s do more to achieve justice, hope, charity and peace in 2026.
