I am not a huge fan or follower of things royal. I have resisted the invitation by People Magazine to subscribe to their ‘free Royal’s newsletter.” Although Lois and I enjoyed watching the television series on Netflix about Queen Elizabeth, neither of us is keen on watching anything about King Charles and Queen Camilla, or, for that matter, Prince William or Prince Harry and Meghan. Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, is a different story. We have followed the reports about her courageous battle with abdominal cancer. Her recovery has been very private, and her public schedule is closely monitored. She limits her engagements to daytime events, except for the evening of December 6, 2024, when she hosted her very own carol service at Westminster Abbey. The service was recorded and will be televised on Christmas Eve as part of the Royal Carols: Together at Christmas. After her health crisis and dealing with all the related challenges she had to overcome, she wanted to be “Together at Christmas.” Her intent was not only to be with those whose expression of love and prayerful support had proven so meaningful for her but to acknowledge what others have done for family, friends and neighbors. Christmas was the perfect time and season for the nation to be together, and during those few moments, affirm the importance of love, empathy and the sacred connection they had with each other. Her office defined the context in the following way:
This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the difficult times of our lives. The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the U.K. who have shown love, kindness, and empathy towards others in their communities.
In this season of Advent, as we move forward spiritually toward the manger in Bethlehem, we are meant to pause in its ‘moments,’ when light, whatever its source, might shine wherever darkness threatens it. The season of Advent invites us to recognize and embrace ‘moments’ that offer the opportunity to reveal ourselves as those who show love, not hostility, humility, not hubris, kindness, not cruelty, generosity, not greed, and empathy, not apathy.
I read daily Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American. She is a professor of American History at Boston College and uses Substack to distribute her letters. Today’s letter was mostly about the extraordinary blunder of the already unpopular President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, in declaring martial law. It was an abuse of power that was immediately challenged by the people and then the legislature. Together they forced Yeol to reverse the order. It was a win for democracy, but an impeachment prosecution awaits the President. In a final paragraph of the newsletter, Richardson notes that one of the journalists who reported on this ‘Breaking News’ event was a woman named Sarah Jeong. She was a journalist who found herself in South Korea at this uncertain and dangerous time, but she did her job and reported on developments. Richardson writes of her professionalism:
And finally, the events in South Korea emphasize that for all people often look to larger-than-life figures to define our nations, our history is in fact made up of regular people doing the best they can. Journalist Sarah Jeong found herself entirely unexpectedly in the middle of a coup and recognizing that she was in an ‘historic moment,’ snapped to work to do all she could to keep the rest of us informed. (December 3, 2024)
I love that observation, namely, that we too often look to larger-than life-figures and ‘historic moments’ to define who we are, when, who we are and hope to be are defined by regular people doing the best they can during those moments when it counts.
Here in Florida, there is a radio station that plays Christmas music 24/7 for the entire month of December. As a result, I have already listened to the most beloved carol of all, “O Holy Night,” dozens of times. What a beautiful and meaningful Christmas carol! Listening, I am reminded that it was during an ordinary night, while a ‘weary’ world, long disabled by its sin and error and awaiting its ‘moment,’ that God delivered when it counted. Jesus Christ was born that night, and awakened souls felt their worth and heard a compelling call to love one another.
Lydia Polgreen, a New York Times columnist, recently published an article titled: In These Dark Times, Stand Up for Human Dignity. Her lead paragraph reads:
In the years ahead, many of us will be asking ourselves: Who is the most vulnerable to whatever comes next? It is, sadly, a rather long list. This has been a brutal year for people in many places across the globe. Sudan is in the grip of a merciless civil war. Bombs, disease and starvation stalk the people of Gaza. The people of Ukraine face another brutal winter in the maw of Russian aggression. (Since the publishing of this article, the world has witnessed the fall and fleeing of the ‘Butcher’ Bashar al Assad in Syria. All the reporting on the dramatic and unexpected event exposed yet again the raw brutality of his regime and the immeasurable suffering of the people.)
What a question to ask in these concerning times! Who is the most vulnerable among us? Sadly, indeed, these are dark times, difficult times. So many are so vulnerable, near and far. Their narratives chronicle the dreadful and deadly stories of hardship and testify to how people, family, friends and neighbors, come together to stand up for and support the afflicted and suffering. When that happens, holy moments are made. Advent and Christmas are filled with them. These moments require that we ‘snap to’ attention and action, doing what we can to bring light to the darkness, clarity to the confusion and hope and healing to the vulnerable and victimized. It is during these moments that we reveal who we truly are.
Princess Kate is standing up and snapping to the urgent call to do her part. In preparation for the evening, she reached out to each of the 1,600 guests who would be gathered that night through a very touching post. Her message was addressed to the citizenry of Great Britain, but not exclusively. I was deeply moved by what she said, and I knew she was addressing me.
She writes:
Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all, It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.
… the Christmas narrative "reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences."
Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving and love that brings joy and hope, she added.
Kate’s carol service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other, she said.
Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.
May we all be together this Christmas in the spirit and truth of Kate’s letter to the world, living with open hearts. Let us shine brightly and reliably as each other’s light, drawing that light from the Light of the World, a baby born in Bethlehem. His name is Jesus.