For God So Loved the World: A Celebration of Human Rights

This time of year, thoughts turn to celebrating.  Celebrating necessarily includes consuming.  Food, drink, gifts...  All are a wonderful part of celebration!  But reflection is also a part of celebration, and reflection on the meaning of Christmas comes down to six words.  "For God so loved the world..."  All who celebrate Christmas, whether as a religious or secular holiday, agree that Christmas is about love.

A recent speech was shared with me by the SF niece.  To me, this speech seemed a perfect way to reflect on the meaning of Christmas--the reason for celebration.  So I leave you with excerpts from the speech that I thought were particularly beautiful and meaningful for my Christmas season.

"For many of us, religious belief and practice is a vital source of meaning and identity, and fundamental to who we are as people. And likewise, for most of us, the bonds of love and family that we forge are also vital sources of meaning and identity. And caring for others is an expression of what it means to be fully human. It is because the human experience is universal that human rights are universal and cut across all religions and cultures.
. . .
Universal human rights include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of others. Yet, while we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all.
 . . .
And it takes a willingness to see stark differences in belief as a reason to begin the conversation, not to avoid it.
 . . .
Eleanor Roosevelt, who did so much to advance human rights worldwide, said that these rights begin in the small places close to home – the streets where people live, the schools they attend, the factories, farms, and offices where they work. These places are your domain. The actions you take, the ideals that you advocate, can determine whether human rights flourish where you are."

Clinton, H. (2011, December). Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day. Speech presented at the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

If you were not aware of the speech before now, you might be surprised to hear that the speech was delivered to the United Nations in support of LBGT rights.  This call to action is an historic and powerful recognition of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender rights as human rights.  Read or watch the speech here.