I note certain people and families who are focused only on their needs and on their children. I picture them forming a closed circle and looking inwards. They work hard to satisfy their basic needs. The parents try to succeed through their children: the aspirations they had as children they pass on to their children and forget that the child is a person in his/her own right. They do not see the tsunami that is going to engulf them.

Christmas should be an open circle where we make sure we satisfy other people's needs, care for the natural environment and work for justice for all.

 Let me give some examples. Africa will have doubled her population by 2050 to 2.5 billion. Therefore, immigration is here to stay. Either we try to view it as a problem and exterminate it, which is inhuman and unchristian, or we try upholding human rights even in this situation.

Another example is that your child is not only owned by you. S/he is a person in his/her own right and a child of the world and a member of humanity. The child cannot be viewed completely your own: otherwise, growth is stunted. It is better to give them the tools and the freedom while protecting them until they are grownup and better educate their hearts. An eye-opener for me was the book The Drifters by James A. Michener.

May we understand that there is more joy in giving than receiving (Acts 20: 35), and that when we distribute joy, some of its happiness will stay with us too.

Why do some bury their heads in the sand and don't support democracy? They are like ostriches leaving their bums in the air ready for a colonoscopy.

A Merry Christmas to all. May we continue searching for the facts and truth in the New Year.

 

Joe Portelli

Nadur