We are now into the Christmas season. There are signs of hope for people around the world. Pfizer and Moderna both announced successful trials of vaccines to prevent getting the COVID virus. Even though the trials have been successful, receiving final approval to distribute the vaccines will take several months. We as a district must remain vigilant in protecting one another. We will remain in a state of unease for many months to come.
It will probably require more than a single year to vaccinate the 37 million Canadians who live in our country. It may take even longer for our neighbours to the south. There is now a mysterious path for Canadians to follow. The path is not clearly laid out. Municipal, provincial, and federal governments along with regional health authorities have millions of details to put in place to distribute and inoculate Canadians. Just as municipalities plan street lighting using historic plans to draw walkers from one light source to the next without shrouding them in darkness, health groups must also plan a path to distribute vaccines to Canada’s residents from scratch without any previous plans in place. It is a herculean task.
Hope comes at Christmas time. Hope comes from the star that guided wise men to a crib centuries ago. We can look to the skies at night and see the “North Star” that guided travellers across north America creating maps and trails for others to follow.
But hope is alive. Driving around Fort Frances over the weekend, I was surprised to see all the homes being lit up with lights and decorations in their front yards. Those lights are removing the darkness from our lives. As night comes earlier each day, the lights from people’s homes removes the darkness that many of us are feeling. Our isolation from each other, and our hiding behind closed doors in this winter season is taking a toll on us.
However, a family ride around Fort Frances in the evening can lighten our hearts. We may be in a season of darkness, but the lights of the Christmas season bring hope back into our hearts. Christian beliefs tell us that this season is the season of light and hope. Inside many homes already, trees have been decorated and their lights twinkle out of windows glowing with excitement.
It may be that people are creating new traditions to banish the darkness. It may be that putting the lights on earlier is to reach out to their neighbours who are trying to follow the guidelines to remain within their family units. Perhaps the decorating of their homes in Christmas fashion helps people to feel great about remembering the joys of Christmas past. Maybe decorating and baking earlier will create new traditions. The traditions of Christmas bring hope.
