Christmas in 1998
A Sermon Given
by The Reverend Roger Fritts
on December 20, 1998
at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
Bethesda, Maryland
It is the Christmas season in Washington D.C. Here in one of the suburbs near our Nation's capital, the Mormons have
their annual display of Christmas lights. White Flint Mall and Montgomery Mall are full of shoppers. Over in
Virginia at Mount Vernon we can take a candle light tour of the home of the first President. Down in the District
itself on the Ellipse, we can see the national Christmas tree. At Ford's Theater, we can see Dickens' Christmas Carol
acted out. And, if we are willing to stand in line, we can see the Christmas trees inside the White House.
In keeping with the season, I had planned to give a sermon this morning exploring how the characteristics of Santa
Claus correspond with the characteristics we associated with Jesus. A part of me wants to stick with my plan, to ignore
the events of the past few days, and talk about Santa.
During the Christmas season, I do not want to think about the bombing of Iraq or the impeachment of the President.
Like most people, commonplace concerns occupy most of my time -- concerns about work, family, friends, and, at this
time of year, the holidays. I attend to the work of the church. I help my kids do their home work. If I can find time,
I visit a store to buy a gift.
In this I am not alone. I have heard people express disinterest, apathy and indifference with respect to the bombing of
Iraq and the impeachment debate. One shopper in Cincinnati, when asked by a reporter if she was following the
debate, said: "I have to get the Christmas shopping done. I have kids. Besides, I feel like I do not have a lot to do
with it. It is all going on in Washington and they are going to do what they are going to do."
A man in Seattle, when asked by a reporter about the impeachment vote, said simply, "I can't be bothered with all
this."
However, the difficultly I have with ignoring the events of the past week is that my parents taught me that I should not
always think about myself. They taught me that although my role may be small, nevertheless, I have a responsibility to
the larger society in which I live. I have an obligation to participate, if only in small ways, in public life. So I write
letters encouraging government officials when I believe in what they are doing, and I suggest alternatives when I
believe they are wrong.
Furthermore, one responsibility of Unitarian Universalist ministers throughout the history of our denomination has been
to examine the important events in our country in light of the principles of liberal religion. The vote yesterday in the
House of Representatives to impeach the President is a major event in the history of our Nation. It is not as important
as the assassination of President Kennedy or the resignation of President Nixon, but we are getting close to those events
in historic importance. And the impeachment has certainly had an impact on Christmas in Washington this year.
Of the many emotions I have seen in people these past few days, one that stands out is sadness that verges on
depression. Holiday depression is common this time of year. During Christmas and New Years, people sometimes feel
despondence. Because of the lack of sun light, or the loss of love ones, some people feel disheartened. Because of
unrealistic expectations, some people feel disappointed in December. During Christmas in Washington this year, the
bombing of Iraq and the impeachment of the President have both contributed to these feelings.
People who have studied depression believe that it is often the result of unresolved anger. Anger, fury, indignation,
bitterness, outrage, and resentment are all feelings that I have heard expressed with great intensity in the past few days.
Some people are angry this week toward Saddam Hussain. Almost everyone in America has a low opinion of the Iraqi
leader. He has repeatedly agreed to cooperate with the UN inspectors and he has repeatedly backed down on his
promises. Therefore, last week we were again involved in bombing Iraq.
When it comes to Iraq, some people also feel displeased this week with President Clinton. Twenty-five percent of the
American people would prefer that we not use bombing as the way to try to end the rule of Saddam Hussain. Some of
us believe Saddam is a real threat, but do not believe the answer is to bomb. Perhaps I am naive. However, instead of
bombing, I would like to see us provide additional humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people and
show them that they are not our enemies. I cannot say that such a plan will result in Saddam losing power. We have
been bombing off and on for the past seven years and that has not been successful in changing the government in Iraq.
I am doubtful that another wave of cruise missiles will topple Saddam. I would like to see us try a different approach.
There is anger this week not only about Iraq, but also about impeachment. For example, many people continue to be
exceedingly angry with Kenneth Starr. They feel he used a forty million-dollar investigation to make a microscopic
examination of the life of Bill Clinton. They feel that when Mr. Starr saw an opportunity to trap the President in a lie,
Mr. Starr used that opportunity to try to destroy Mr. Clinton. Many people are angry at Kenneth Starr.
Also, this week many people are exceedingly angry with Republicans in the House of Representatives. People are
angry because they believe Republicans are disregarding the will of the American people. Some people feel that the
Republicans are trying to take control of the presidency.
This anger is widespread. In one survey, the Republican Party's standing with the public has dropped to its lowest level
in fourteen years. The survey was based on telephone interviews conducted nationwide with 1,666 adults on Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday, and another 326 adults on Thursday. As this week progressed, the party's image worsened.
Forty-two percent of respondents had a favorable opinion of the Republicans early in the week. That favorable opinion
dropped to 33 percent among people polled Thursday. At the same time the number of people holding a favorable view
of the Democratic party held steady at 56 percent.
On the other hand, this week many people are exceedingly angry with President Clinton. His sexual activities in the
Oval Office have enraged about 40% of the American people to the point that they want him to resign or be removed
from office. Many of us remained outraged by the President's behavior while at work in the Oval Office with a intern
not much older then his own daughter. Further, the President's betrayal of his marriage vows and his lies are seen as a
serious breach of public trust.
This is not just the view of extreme right wing Republicans. Last Friday Michael McCurry, the former White House
press secretary, when asked whether he had confidence in the president, said: "I have enormous doubts . . . The
immorality is troublesome to me . . . The nature of this particular affair and the way in which he did concealed it really
does raise some profoundly troubling matters." Mike McCurry said of Mr. Clinton's behavior, "It's surely reckless,
contrary to the way you'd expect a rational human being to behave."
Around me this week I see denial and depression and anger. These are three stages in grief and loss. The other two
stages are bargaining and acceptance. Bargaining may soon take place between the President and the members of the
United States Senate. If a resolution is reached, we may then reach a point when most people accept what has
happened and can move on with the other business of the Nation.
But for the moment, Christmas in Washington this year is impacted by the feelings of anger and depression. If we are
not in denial about the events of the past few days, and if we take bombing and impeachment seriously, singing "Joy to
the World" is not as easy this year. Yet this week I have thought again about the message of the Christmas story.
Mary and Joseph lived in poverty. A foreign invader ruled their nation. They were forced on a long journey when
Mary was in the last days of pregnancy. The king was plotting to kill the child. The birth took place in a barn.
Nevertheless, in spite of poverty, the exile and the oppression the child grew up and, as a young adult, taught people
about the nature of love.
The myth of Christmas is a positive statement of love in the midst of hardship. It encourages us to see the good in
spite of the suffering, and the joy in spite of the depression and the disappointment. If we are willing to be part of that
good, to care, to reach out, and to sacrifice, then we can sing "Joy to The World" in a world that is far from perfect.
- Faith is born in the gloom of denial.
- Love is born in the darkness of war.
- Joy is born in the blackness of depression.
- And hope is born in the night of anger.
So, this Christmas season I will again remember the story of the birth and life of Jesus. This Christmas, I will again
find inside me feelings of faith and love and joy and hope in the midst of the cold and darkness. This Christmas, I will
pray for peace with security, for honesty with diplomacy, and for fidelity with forgiveness.
The Washington area is a place made up of people who are far from perfect. Nevertheless, I invite you to feel again
the joy of a Christmas in our Nation's capital. Christmas is saying "Yes" to life, in the face of the life's imperfections.
It is a courageous affirmation of life in the midst of hardship. I invite you to join with me in this affirmation.
We have little enough joy in the world, little enough sacred time and space, little enough meaning in our lives. So
open your hearts. Celebrate the wonder of light in the midst of darkness. Affirm yourself. Give a hug to your friends
and acquaintances. Join with me in singing "Joy to the World."
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