Christmas is a season of hope

Several years ago, I was in the little town of Celigny, Switzerland, on their National Day of Swiss Independence - Aug.1.

There were parades in the little village and food available in the town square, and religious services in the old village church. They said that in years past, on every Independence Day, the Swiss communities located in the mountains would light fires that would indicate to all the other communities that they were still free.

Driving home the other evening, and seeing all the Christmas lights on houses and lawns brought that event back to my mind. The decorations, Christmas lights and Menorah candles in some windows, seemed to declare that religious freedom was still a part of our ongoing American history.

From the perspective of many Christians, Christmas is a season of hope. Among other things, it is a hope that comes from the birth of a baby - a hope that in some way the world may some day come to recognize the importance of respect for our differences and allow our world to walk in the paths of peace.

That may be somewhat naive, but I don't believe we can ever give up on that goal - that hope.

For me, the Christmas lights on our homes, and in our homes, that meander through our communities, symbolize that hope and brings me reassurance.