Dignity and Justice for All

"It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality -- that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists -- and that it exists for them." --Ban Ki-Moon

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." --Elie Wiesel

"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall."  --Isaiah 25:4

Christmas is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. I don't know whether it's that flicker of peace, love, and joy that abound during that time from friends, family, neighbors, and strangers. Perhaps I want to hold onto that something, whether small or tiny...it's something. I can't help but think of that one Christmas song, "Here we are as in our olden days, happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more." 

Today marked World Human Rights Day. How did we spend it? Did we remember the 30 million refugees suffering, crying and dying? Joy can't happen without peace; peace without love; love without compassion; compassion without prayer. Understanding the true meaning of hope and grace can be obtained when you understand that ONE man died for ALL. If this isn't a testament of freedom, then I don't know what is. 

As we go through the holidays frantically shopping and finding gifts, it's so easy to lose meaning...substance...of things to be grateful for (I can testify to this). Blessed are we with happy days of family and friends, yet I do not want to forget or ignore that cry still ringing in my ear--those thousands of voices screaming for some compassion and hope in this world. I long to break that wall, and Lord-willing enable me to serve in some way--to shake those in slumber, and stir those complacent hearts.