It's the time for making wish lists, and I'd like to do mine before it's too late to act on some of the items. The wishes are for everyone, no matter what religion, or of no religion. It's just a reminder that human beings share some things that neither politics nor religion nor status can take away from us.
1. I wish for peace, not universal and forever, because that's probably not possible. But, I'd like to see the two Koreas come to their senses and think about the rest of us living on the same planet with them.
2. I wish that everyone who has children or grandchildren would take some time with them this season, to help them understand that Christmas, as well as the other great religious feasts, is more about giving than receiving. I know that's trite, but if each of us can convince one child that the poor and damaged of this world are human beings who deserve kindness and love, if we can help them to give just one small thing, in the spirit of love, to someone who really needs it, they may grow up to be the kinds of adults who are desperately needed if we are to save our race.
3. I wish that we, who are already adult, will also make an effort to help the needy and forgotten - get a "Dear Santa" letter and fulfill it, or visit an elderly person and spend fifteen minutes listening to them talk about their childhoods and their loved ones who are gone. Take them a little gift. They will appreciate it, and you will feel better for having done it.
4. Find the people in your neighborhood, as my sister does, who are alone and if you're having a Christmas or New Year dinner, invite them. It doesn't matter whether they're Christian, they'll enjoy the day - and so will you and your family.
5. Finally, say something nice to or about a politician. They may be deaf and self-serving. They may be arrogant and self-ambitious. They may even be from the "other" party. But, they also do a lot of work for us every day, in many countries, and like most human beings, they just might respond, if only for a short time, by actually thinking about their responsibilities and trying to carry them out.
Why not make your own lists. I'm sure you can do better than I can.
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