The Editor's Christmas Season

 

This message from the angels to the shepherds has been the cause of some reflection and guided me to fewer posts this Christmas Season.  Unfortunately, the nature of politics is such that it easily takes a course that is at odds with living the Gospel as a follower of Christ. This is why this blog has been less active recently.

Consider this passage from Luke 14:

8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Politics so easily turns to a crushing and vicious push to be in the highest seat in which the ends are seen as justifying the end. None seem happy in the "lowest room."  It takes great and continuous effort to avoid finding one's self from being part of that tumult.  I have simply felt uncomfortable with calling to the attention of my readers those tendencies in myself and others during this season.  Some issues and replies to attacks have been taken to the editorial pages and statements made before governing bodies but not here and not during this season. It is refreshing give myself more distance from the fray, and I suspect many of you have been focused on whatever Christmas means to you--be it religious or secular.

Yet there is more to rendering unto Caesar than paying taxes. Part of our duty is to participate.  An ancient prophet couseled his people:

Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. Book of Mormon, Mosiah 29:26

What we need most is for our fellow citizens to show up. The majority of voters don't vote leaving the door wide open for factions to rule.  And they need to be informed.  Jefferson said,  "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." This is what one of the purposes of this blog.

Much will happen in the next 60 days.  I strongly urge more of you to sign up to receive this blog by email.  The names are not used for any other purpose and I have no access to them. 

I hope you have actually enjoyed the respite.  Be sure to catch the Christmas Day post and you will hear more next year.