Classic Christmas carol gives gift of celebration and hope
The Christmas holiday is considered to be one of the most popular celebrations of the year. During this time respected psychologists tell us that emotions run the gamut from extreme euphoria to severe depression. Most are able to handle their feelings in a responsible way.
Still, there will be many questions about the true meaning of Christmas: What should our demeanor be while celebrating this famous occasion, and what should be our focus as we move beyond the gatherings, the meals, and of course, the gifts?
As I listened to the lyrics of one of our favorite Christmas carols "O Holy Night,” I found myself thinking that the message within the song could not only help with our emotions but also provide some direction for the future.
The lyrics provide those of us who believe in the Christian interpretation of the holiday a "reason for the season." It is the night when "Christ was born...O night divine."
The lyrics also suggest what our attitude should be as we celebrate. We should not despair but rejoice: His birth was "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." We should rejoice, because the season is an opportune time to reconnect with our family, faith and friends.
Finally, while moving forward, the famous song and the birth of that magnificent ray of hope offer us an opportunity to focus on our blessings and our strengths instead of our weaknesses: "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."
These particular words take on additional meaning when we are reminded of the story about a man who worried about not being able to purchase quality shoes. He had an epiphany when he saw a man who had no feet!
During this holiday season may we all rejoice and take a moment to count our many blessings!
George Comer, Crown Point, Indiana
Helping small businesses thrive
When most people picture a mall, they imagine national chain department stores and designer labels. But here’s a surprise: Some of Chicago area's malls are a vibrant ecosystem of small and independent businesses. Take the 92 independent shops that call Aurora's Fox Valley Mall home. That means 92 opportunities to discover unique gifts for everyone on your holiday list.
Online shopping makes it easy to click "add to cart," but when you choose to shop small, every purchase spreads cheer twice — once to the person receiving your gift, and again to the small-business owner, invigorating the local economy and making our communities better places to live.
As someone who works at the Women’s Business Development Center, I know firsthand how much small-business owners look forward to this time of year. And while Fox Valley Mall is just one shining example, the truth is that small-businesses power every corner of the Chicago area — including the city's 77 neighborhoods from Rogers Park to Pullman.
So, as you search for that perfect (or last minute!) present, I encourage you to take a stroll through Fox Valley Mall, or a city neighborhood like Little Village (over 500 small businesses!), and explore the vibrant small businesses we have in the Chicago and suburbs. You’ll spread joy not only to the people on your gift list, but also to the hardworking entrepreneurs who sustain our communities.
Minerva Calatayud, director of entrepreneurial programs and services, Women's Business Development Center
Hillary Clinton needs schooling on Israel, Gaza
Sunday's opinion piece by Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain appropriately described the anti-Palestinian sentiments held by some in this country. She correctly takes Hillary Clinton to task for waving away critics of Israel's war on Gaza. Hussain quotes Clinton, "a lot of young Jewish Americans don't know the history (of the Middle East) and don't understand."
Instead of dismissing Jews and others who are against Israel's carnage in Gaza, Clinton would do well to engage with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He has been severely critical of Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy in Gaza. Olmert has referred to those who support Israel's government as a “messianic group of thugs” and has urged Netanyahu and his “thugs” to stop the bombing. I'm sure that he and many other dissenting Israelis have a profound understanding of the history of the Middle East and Israel's role in it.
Nearly 80,000 innocent men, women, children and babies have been killed in Gaza. Israel has laid waste to the land. That the United States under Joe Biden and Donald Trump has supported Israel in this travesty is a stain on all of us.
Blaise J. Arena, Des Plaines
Misunderstanding memorials
It's awful nice of President Donald Trump to leave John F. Kennedy’s name on the newly named The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
I wonder, though, if Mr. Trump realizes that the word memorial means, "anything — a structure, object, place or event — that honors and helps people remember a deceased person or a significant, often tragic, event, acting as a focal point for memory, grief, and respect."
Kevin Coughlin, Evanston
Some U.S. monuments deserve Trump name
Optics matter. Instead of verbal outrage over the current president's penchant for putting his name on everything in sight, I would urge the Congressional Progressive Caucus to sponsor a bill renaming all existing Confederate monuments "Trump." Just the one word and then keep whatever accomplishment is already on the monument, but give him credit for it.
This would soothe the toddler-in-chief and remind Americans that the spirit of racist, violent disregard for democracy is still lobbing tear gas canisters in our communities.
Mark Lipscomb, McKinley Park