It is the holiday season in Otsego County, where we embrace the winter chill and challenging snowfalls as part of what makes us unique. Despite the arctic temperatures, thousands of us exhibit the warmth in our hearts and the luminosity of our souls. It can be seen wherever you choose to look.
From the municipal decorations and lighting along our main streets, to festive homes that sparkle in the dark winter nights, holiday parades and visits with Santa. It is Christmas time in our communities. It is also Hannukah, Kwanza, Yule and Bohdi Day. One of this area’s greatest gifts is found in our diversity. And anywhere you look, people of different faiths, religious affiliations and outlooks on life dedicate this time of year to the same thoughts and actions.
Strive for peace. Give of your time. Share what you have with those less fortunate. Some of the organizations and individuals in our area do this work at this time of year and throughout the calendar, preferring to stay out of the limelight. They give what they give and do what they do for reasons personal to them and with no desire for publicity. So, without naming names, here are some acts of kindness I have witnessed and about which you should know.
I know of two organizations that, partnering together, will feed Christmas dinner to more than 800 individuals who would otherwise go without. Another organization sends its members out to shop for children of families that are facing a bleak season without help. I have known of organizations that “adopted” a family at Christmas who were unaware that people cared about them.
Not all acts of kindness are gift related. I know many people who plow their neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways. I see people assisting the elderly in the grocery store parking lot because they realize that individual is struggling. Hundreds, if not thousands of people contribute a dollar or two into the red kettle as a volunteer rings the bell. I know of a property owner who, when asked how much the rent on his property is, asks instead what they can comfortably afford. These acts of kindness and compassion are what makes this season, and our neighbors, so special. As communities, we are very good at giving and sharing. This year, however, the last of our three common goals seems as elusive as ever — peace.
As this is written, the world faces war on four continents and nearly all the seven seas. Europe has seen the biggest war since 1945 pull world powers into a fight in Ukraine. Civil wars and more proxy fights in Africa add to the loss of life. And the current Israel-Hamas war ads to the suffering. All in all, 91 countries are currently involved in armed conflict. In 2023 alone, more than 250,000 souls have perished in wars. Historians and data scientists estimate that war has killed up to 1 billion people since 1 A.D. That’s with a B.
In America, we are as divided as any time since the Civil War. Political, religious and ideological differences have brought violence to our county, our state and our nation. So, how are we doing on the whole peace on Earth thing? What can individuals do?
In short, what each of us can do is to voice our opinions. Respectfully, but at a volume level that allows you to be heard. While local mayors, council members and Assembly people don’t make decisions on world peace, change must begin somewhere. Vote, go to meetings, volunteer, live your life as much as you can throughout the year like you do over the holidays. Communicate with your Congressional representative, your senators and anyone up the political food chain you can think of. Tell them how important peace is to you. Change begins with each of us.
For Christians, in the Bible, Matthew 5:9 states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, denotes a sense of completion, perfection — shlemut (“wholeness”). In fact, in the Bible, shalom means “well-being” or “prosperity,” not just “peace.”
The Druid Prayer for Peace states, “Deep within the still center of my being, may I find peace. Quietly within this grove, may I share peace. Gently within the greater circle of humanity may I radiate peace.”
And for me, the following phrase sums up the season. Peace on Earth. Good will to all women and men.” This is my hope for all of us this season. I wish you PEACE.