Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber- Monday became the buzzwords in holiday preparation this past week. Large numbers of people invaded stores big and small, and even the internet, to buy what they thought they or others needed, believing that if they got a great deal on their purchases, that's all that mattered. Consumerism too often tends to reduce the deeper meaning of Christmas to a token carol or manger scene or a few coins in the red kettle.

May we, who profess our belief in the historical and reborn Jesus within and among us, witness to that belief as we live out the Christmas message of "Peace on Earth, good will to all." And may our "Happy New Year" resolutions include renewed personal efforts to witness to the struggle for unity in a divided and violent world.   

On December 12 we celebrate with our Hispanic sisters and brothers Our Lady of Guadalupe who claimed justice for the people of Tepeyac, Mexico, by raising up those who were oppressed. Mary fittingly shows us how to rejoice in God our Savior, for her entire life was a hymn of praise. Saint Juan Diego, the peasant to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared is sometimes considered the evangelizer of an entire hemisphere and Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas.  Click here for a prayer resource.  

Traditionally a minor Jewish holiday, Hanukkah has become much more festive because of its proximity to Christmas.  The name itself means "dedication" and its eight-day commemoration is a reminder of the Jewish effort to purify the temple after its defilement by burning the temple's menorah for eight days.  Even though there was only one day's worth of oil, the menorah remained lit for the full 8 days. For our Jewish friends Hanukkah is a time of personal rededication to faith and tradition...perhaps we too can take this time of year to rededicate ourselves to our faith and traditions.   

On November 24 more than 100 Bangladeshi workers died in fire, trapped in a locked garment factory, reportedly sewing clothing for Wal-Mart, Disney, Sears, Target, and others. Bangladeshi police and firefighters have confirmed that the collapsible gates on each floor were padlocked, keeping the workers from escaping the fire. Firefighters had to use bolt cutters to cut the locks. Learn more; take action to help ensure this never happens again.

                      

For more information on the garment/apparel industry, take a look at Apparel Industry Trends: From Farm to Factory, a recently issued report containing grades for over 300 clothing brands released by the anti-slavery advocacy group Not-for-Sale.     

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President Obama and Congress are deliberating about how much funding to make available for poverty-focused international assistance. While our nation's fiscal challenges are significant, poverty-focused international assistance makes up less than 1% of the U.S. federal budget. Reducing future unsustainable deficits is important, but it must be done in a morally responsible way that gives priority to those who are poor and vulnerable at home and abroad. Learn more, let your voice be heard and take action today.  

Cuts Cost Lives

On December 10, the world celebrates the 64th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, the declaration sets out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all women and men, everywhere in the world are entitled.  The theme for this year's commemoration is that everybody has the right to have their voice heard and to have a role in making the decisions that shape our individual and collective destinies. Learn more, take action.  

As we wonder what these two observances mean for us today, we can reflect on the concept of solidarity in Catholic Social Teaching. "We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic, and ideological differences. The interconnection among all peoples calls us to value and respect the experience of all. We are called to work globally for justice."

Regarding Migrants Day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon offers this challenge, "When their rights are violated, when they are marginalized and excluded, migrants will be unable to contribute either economically or socially to the societies they have left behind or those they enter. However, when supported by the right policies and human rights protections, migration can be a force for good for individuals as well as for countries of origin, transit and destination."  

What will you do to stand in solidarity with migrants and other vulnerable groups in the coming year? Follow these links for reflection and engagement resources and ideas associated with National Migration Week (January 6-12) and the Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery and Trafficking (January 11-13). 

At this time of the year, Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun so that daylight time appears to grow shorter and shorter. Ancient people feared the disappearance of the life-giving sun and used rituals and celebrations with fire to drive the dark away.  They saw the returning elevated path of the sun as a sign of a new beginning, a rebirth.  The winter solstice is a time for us also to honor Earth's cycles of darkness and new light, of death and rebirth, and to renew our efforts to live well our role as part of the community of life on Earth.