The sights and sounds of Christmas wake our senses. You can see Christmas. You can hear Christmas. But, most of all, you can actually feel it. We might even be longing for it to arrive. So, what better time to remind ourselves about belonging?
The spirit that accompanies Christmas is not exclusively reserved for those who believe that something divine happened. Christmas seems to change the ordinary into tender treasures that belong to anyone who reaches for them. Candlelight suddenly glows with peace as well as light. There is music that you can feel as well as hear. Laughter pulls you toward it and invites you in. Joy takes happiness to another level. Anticipation is not anxious but hopeful. Giving suddenly comes so easily. And the world beckons you to your often-neglected inner child.
As we wrap ourselves around the notion that Christmas belongs to anyone who welcomes its touch, let’s take it a step further. What if the brightest gift of Christmas is a reminder that we all belong to each other? We all got here the same way. We all were given a first breath; we’ll all take a last one. Somewhere between that precious pair of breaths, the belonging seems to become so ordinary that we fail to notice it.
There aren’t many things in life that are infinite. Belonging is the exception. You belong when you’re here; you belong when you’re not. Belonging never ends. Can we just say belonging is sovereign? Imagine a world where everyone believed they belonged to each other!
Belong to all those you love this Christmas — and let them know it.
— Ron Bearwald, Northbrook
The best and the worst
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” Charles Dickens wrote of his world. We could say the same of ours. Last weekend, Elgin witnessed both. On Dec. 6, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used tear gas on residents while trying to round up a Hispanic man, much to the dismay of Elgin’s mayor. The worst of times.
Then on Dec. 7, Elgin hosted the Chicago Bronze Handbell Ensemble. We in attendance were treated to a most beautiful, uplifting holiday experience. This wonderfully gifted and dedicated group of musicians provided us with a performance that truly expressed the message of this season, which is one of love, hope and joy. The best of times.
As I sat there on Sunday, I wondered: Which of these events would we Americans most like our country to represent?
— Mary Herrick, Gilberts, Illinois
Serving the vulnerable
I was compelled to write this letter after seeing the true impact that the students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School made through their 41st annual Give-A-Thon. Not only did they wrap and donate gifts, but they also delivered food and baby items to a local food pantry and the emergency shelter PADS.
I’m a master of social work student. The most impactful aspect of the Give-A-Thon is how the youths at Stevenson embody the core values of social work: service, social justice, and the dignity and worth of each and every person. By donating 83 boxes of diapers and wipes to PADS, they are serving the most vulnerable members of society. They didn’t only address the immediate needs of the surrounding area, but also invested in the well-being of future generations.
The Give-A-Thon had a great turnout and provided 328 families with essential household needs and wish list gifts for the holidays, as well as serving 1,135 children.
Underprivileged families are often overlooked and not discussed enough in society. By engaging in such philanthropy projects, the community at Stevenson High School lessens the gaps between marginalized populations and the broader community, which demonstrates how compassion and action can create real, tangible change.
These philanthropic projects and events must go beyond Stevenson and be brought to society in general. Wrapping presents may feel tedious to some, but it truly ties happiness into a bow for children and families around the holiday season, especially when they know they do not have the means to provide for their families and adhere to the standards surrounding them in Lincolnshire.
— Emma Zislis, University of Illinois MSW candidate, Highland Park
Behavioral health care
Regarding the Dec. 9 article “Finding better access to behavioral health care”: This is very personal to me as our son struggled for years with mental health issues. Unfortunately, this legislation, recently signed into law, comes too late to help him; he tragically died this past summer at the age of 31.
He struggled for years with mental health issues. The issues were twofold: lack of qualified care and therapists and lack of providers in his health insurance plan.
After years of not finding adequate care, he sadly gave up looking and took matters into his own hands. Substituting street drugs for those he used to have prescriptions for led to tragic consequences when one of these pills killed him. According to the medical examiner, the drug found in his system was three times more potent than fentanyl. These pills look exactly like their pharmaceutical equivalent.
The combination of an inability to find care and easy access to these drugs via unmonitored, unregulated social media (a topic worth exploring) resulted in a tragic outcome. This was a game of Russian roulette. My wife and I were totally unaware.
I would add that this new law is about much more than affordability, as stated by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe; this law is about saving lives.
With this legislation, maybe young lives can be saved as people will have easier access to mental health providers that are covered by insurance.
Our family faces a lifetime of grieving over his death and a loss of life that had so much potential.
In a sad twist of fate, my wife and I get grief counseling and therapy covered by Medicare.
— Fred Paul, Northbrook
Note to readers: We’d like to know your hopes for the new year. Please send us a letter, of no more than 400 words, to letters@chicagotribune.com by Sunday, Dec. 28. Include your full name and city/town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/13/letters-121325-christmas/
