Even in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, most people still remember that Christmas — this holy day began as a celebration of the birth of a baby boy. We also recall that this baby’s life did not originate in the United States. He most likely had dark hair, skin, and brown eyes. I hope you will watch the attached video until the end and that as you do so, you will consider the facts about the birth we seek to honor.
I realize that the words of hatred expressed by the woman talking in this video must come from her own fears and feelings of inadequacy. That very baby we celebrate would ask us to forgive her. As other customers listen in silence to the woman’s words, their lack of response seems equally damning.
Edmund Burke reminds us, “THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING.” I have to ask myself, “If I had been in the crowd, would I have spoken up?” Speaking up would have been uncomfortable. I remind myself, and all of us, that opposing cruelties toward others no longer can be an option.
If like silent sheep, we allow hate-filled words and actions to remain unchallenged, Baby’s life and His teachings will have been in vain.