Searching for the magic in a world overwhelmed by adversity
Every email we receive wishes us a Merry Christmas 2024 or a joyful Holiday Season. They celebrate the magic of these days, brimming with joy and gratitude for the year that draws to a close. But where is this magic in the world around us? Can nativity under the devastation of bombs make sense?
Regardless of one’s faith, spiritual perspective, or personal values, the essence of Christmas seems to slip further away with each passing year. Instead of bringing solace, the festive season often leaves many adrift, caught between hope and bewilderment.
This year has been no exception. Once again, we’ve witnessed profound atrocities: the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives, such as children in Gaza, and the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
“This is not war. This is cruelty. I want to say this because it touches my heart,” Pope Francis lamented.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine rages on. Poverty continues its alarming rise, deepening inequalities and divisions in our societies. At the same time, mass consumerism marches forward, heedless of the devastation it inflicts on both people and the planet. In fact, 2024 has been a terrible year for our climate and ecology.
It’s hard to ignore the harsh reality of a world increasingly driven by greed and indifference, where the pursuit of money is all that matters.
In the face of such adversity, it’s difficult to find the magic of Christmas. Yet, it is precisely during tough times that humanity must rediscover its commonalities. Perhaps the true message of this season lies not in fleeting moments of joy but in something deeper: a collective reflection. A chance to seek out what unites us and reignite a sense of shared purpose and hope.
If we turn our focus to values that truly matter—kindness, understanding, and mutual support—we may begin to bridge the gaps in our fractured world.
As we celebrate this season, let us pause. Let us listen, connect, and seek to understand. Most importantly, let us reassess our priorities. Let us remember the atrocities surrounding us and reflect on how our collective actions and choices can create ripples of change.
Donating to humanitarian organizations working to restore humanity in places where there’s no trace of it may not offer glamour, but it will remind you of what it means to be human.
Peace is the only answer.
Merry Christmas 2024!