The Hopes and Fears

In the carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, we sing the words "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." That poor little town of Bethlehem has known more than its fair share of fears and surely there are multitudes who throughout the years have added their prayers for peace for that ravaged area. I suppose there is an increase in hope this year and decrease in fear over last year, but who can say how these things balance?

I read an opinion piece in the UC News today that reminded me of this carol. Kathryn Timpany wrote about a most remarkable event that happened last December. I was overwhelmed to learn of it, having not heard about it at the time or any time since. She writes,

Last December, in Thailand, after a surge of violence in the country's Muslim south, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to try something new and novel.

He ordered more than 50 warplanes and C-130 transports filled with soldiers to take to the air--at enormous cost--and drop 120 million folded-paper cranes upon the upturned faces of the hope-drained people who live there.

Can you imagine the fears of the people who saw those warplanes flying overhead? Then can you imagine the great gift of hope when instead of bombs falling they found themselves flooded in symbols of peace and hope? Traditionally origami cranes are folded by the hundreds as a method of praying for a miracle. What a great gift we would give this Christmas if where there is strife we would sow peace. Perhaps in honor of the birthday of the Prince of Peace you might want to fold your own origami crane, literally, but more importantly figuratively.