Hope is never ending

Two outstanding participants among the young Burmese

It is Christmas and end of the year all in one.  Despite whatever may be going in my life and world, I always feel a sense of overwhelming joy and excitement at this time of the year.  For me, it is the nature of the season.  I am aware of the difficulties and challenges around me but they never drown out the surpassing joy and excitement.  Then I found this past week support for my maybe innocent or misguided stance in life from most surprising sources.

One was in visiting a gathering of young Burmese migrant workers here in Bangkok.  They were gathered for a day of celebration to mark the end of the year.  During the year, they enjoy the Caritas outreach which brings them together for opportunities in education and vocational training.  These young adults know more difficulty and challenge than most at their age but being with them all I could feel was their sense of vigor, zest for life and joyful hope.   Being with them nourished and refreshed me.  They were life giving.

The other source was much more distant but just as real.  It came to me through a powerful song sung by children suffering in war torn Syria, named "Heartbeat" and produced by UNICEF.  In the midst of death and destruction, their voice for life and hope spoke loud and clear.  In the midst of devastation, they sung with joy, affirming that "dreams we built together will all come true".

From brokenness and vulnerability comes the strongest and most gut wrenching message for hope and life in our world.  Christmas is truly a time for joy and excitement.  Let it not be killed by any force.  Just let it live on. 

Happy Christmas!