We were going to publish a story, a sermon actually, last week but because of space considerations had to cut it at the last minute.
It was related how inmates at the Bergen-Belsen death camp celebrated Chanukah and despite the brutal murder all around them praised G-d for letting them live during that time.
The lack of space wasn’t our only reason for spiking the story. At the time we thought it was a bit of a downer especially during this festive season.
That consideration was however made before the horror in Connecticut.
How can anyone celebrate Christmas, Chanukah or anything in the wake of so many child sized coffins?
The cruelest cynics may even point out that thousands of children die everyday so why should two score more really bother us?
We do know there will be celebration on the 25th of December, it will be tempered of course with sadness and perhaps rage. But the bells will ring nonetheless.
And the bells will ring not because we as a society are obtuse or unfeeling. Quite the opposite, to feel joy, to be able to exult when helplessness and despair seem to be the more proper emotions perhaps is the single thing that redeems the human race.
Yes there is sadness in this world, evil too. The pain and depravity human beings inflict on other human beings is limited only by imagination.
Still there is also joy.
The innocent joy of children yes, but also the informed joy of adults. All of us by the time we hit the half century mark have lost loved ones, been betrayed, were cheated or severely injured.
Yet we scarred sometimes brutalized survivors can still feel happiness even with our memories and grudges intact.
This universal ability to be joyful depends on no religion of even the belief in a higher being.
It just is.
It cannot be diminished by evil or indifference rather it triumphs over both of them.
Let the bells ring on Christmas Day even as the tears flow for the dead children.
Joy to the world.
Yes despite all and everything
Joy to the world.
We thank our secret Santa who gave us such a delightful albeit anonymous gift this week.
We have no idea who he or she is, except for the fact that he or she has beautiful penmanship.
While all giving has merit, it is said the purest gift is one given anonymously.
We have never managed to reach that level of goodness but we are honored to meet one who has.