By Rev. Robert (Bob) Murphy
A major holiday celebration is like a mobilization.
For every December festival, for every holiday concert, and for every poetry reading in the community, the questions for people of conscience are the same: “What’s the message?” “What’s needed in the world?”
Organizers work for weeks to bring everything together. Attention is given to access, publicity, safety, the different age groups and plenty more.
In December, major corporations and retailers send quite a different message, telling you to celebrate materialism and consumer spending. There are other messages during this time. Christian nationalists insist that Jesus is the reason for the season. Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree. The American economy, like many of us after a big holiday meal, stumbles around through New Year’s Eve.
All economic indicators point to continued high prices in 2026. And access to affordable housing, medical care, healthy food and other basics will be difficult for anyone other than upper middle class and owning class people. For individuals and congregations that are concerned about class justice, the notes that follow will be helpful.
Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize: As this year comes to a close and you’re searching for a holiday for all of humanity, come forward to embrace December 10th. On that date in 1948, the United Nations proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines 30 fundamental human rights and freedoms that are to be universally protected for all people and nations. The achievement is celebrated each year throughout the world as International Human Rights Day.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the importance of democracy. For example, it acknowledges that all people have the right to enjoy an adequate standard of living. Migrants can leave their homes to seek asylum in other nations. Workers have the right to form labor unions. All people, including women and girls, have a right to education and self-determination.
During the 1940s, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was developed in response to fascism and the horrors of World War II. The defense of human rights continues. Share the good news.
In most years, December 10th is also the date of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. It is awarded to individuals, groups or organizations that have done the most during the preceding year to work for international peace, address human suffering, and/or strengthen relations between nations and groups that lead to lasting peace.
The Longest Night of the Year: While the winter solstice is celebrated in many places, the cold can be unforgiving. In Florida where I live, we seldom have snow and ice, but life on the streets can still be difficult. Unhoused people are often treated like criminals. If you’re undocumented, the situation can be worse
In my city, human rights activists join together for the winter solstice. There is a memorial reading for every individual identified as homeless who has died during the preceding 12 months. We promise to work together to secure affordable housing, adequate medical care, healthy food and the other “basics” for all people.
Similar events happen in Boston, Chicago and other cities. Community clinics and social service agencies are often involved. The National Coalition for the Homeless has more information about Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.
Watch Night: What happens in your community on the last night of December? Originally established by enslaved African Americans who “watched and prayed” for freedom on the eve of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Watch Night is observed by many congregations that gather on December 31st. In the midst of the American Civil War, there was a need for religious reflection and for preparations for the new year. The Freedom’s Eve tradition continues for those reasons in our own fraught time.
Stay Involved: While you, hopefully, enjoy the usual season’s festivities, I hope you will learn more about and participate in the meaningful December activities shared here. Happy New Year!