Greek Orthodox Church of St George, Jaffa, Icon of Nativity

O Holy Night

By John Kass

December 24, 2023

For all the children who should be loved always, but especially on this night, with our arms wrapped around them and a long goodnight kiss on the temple, a kiss more precious than anything wrapped in a box.

For every parent who stands quietly in the darkened doorways of the bedrooms, watching those small, sleeping shapes.

For all the babies who aren’t loved enough and grow up with a hard crust around their hearts because there was no one near to plant those kisses and give those hugs. And for every couple so full of love, they adopt a child and save that life.

And for every young mother who has given her baby up for adoption, to save that life growing inside of her. For all those who couldn’t have children of their own. For those who’ve lost their children. For all who’ve lost their moms and dads. For the moms and dads who give everything to keep their family close.

For that young woman in pain, physical and spiritual pain wanting so much to become a mother and bear a child. She has become weak under the strain.  But she won’t quit. She wants to become a mom. Those others of us who know her pray she’ll come through this, because she has the grace to become a good and wonderful mom.

And for that man in the hospital facing heart surgery, that foot-doctor who has taken such good care of so many of us. It’s time to take care of yourself.

For those crazy uncles who always drink too much tonight, then sneak outside to put on the red suit in the driveway, hopping on one leg, falling in the snow, laughing out there in the cold, before coming back in to surprise the kids.

For those wise aunts who make sure that coffee is strong and black, to help those crazy uncles sober up.

And for everyone in every choir in the world. They’ve been practicing for weeks in cold, empty churches. And so tonight is their night too, their beautiful voices lifting us up with song, inviting us to humble ourselves as we ask for help in scraping away any bitterness that has grown like a hard bark around our hearts.

For the Sunday school teachers forced to separate the angry lambs from the angry shepherds with their shepherd’s crooks in the hallway, right before the Christmas Pageant.

For all those who love you and your children, and don’t wait for a special night to begin building the family. They show up unannounced on some random afternoon in June, or on a cool morning in November– with a coffee cake from your favorite bakery–dropping by just to make sure that you’re OK.

So, tonight is for them, and tomorrow, too, because they are family by friendship and by blood. They are family by the acts of family.

For all the young who are lonely and feel lost and don’t know why. For all those who are far away and can’t make it home this year. For those who are physically near, yet distant in so many other ways, believing that the bad choices they’ve made have locked the door against them.

And for the prodigals at the eleventh hour, wondering if they may ever return home again.

Don’t be afraid, because there is good news!

Tonight is the night that all lost lambs are found. Tonight is the night of new hope for the world.

The door is always open.

Just reach for it and see.

For the good people who help others first. For the children who are hungry and for those who feed them. For the selfish and the mean-spirited, as well as for the good and the kind. Because we’re all hurting somehow. We’ve all been broken, or we’ve come close to breaking. All of us.

And somehow, we must learn to forgive and embrace and love each other. The rabbi, the carpenter’s son reminded us what to do thousands of years ago when he reminded us to love our neighbor.

For the shy ones who aren’t part of the ruling clique at work, who aren’t pushy, but just don’t know how to put themselves forward and make themselves noticed. They’d rather not push themselves forward, especially if that meant pushing someone out of the way. They would not demand a spotlight.

But they would stun you with their commitment and talent if only given half a chance.

For every old man at the end of the bar tonight, nursing his drink, grateful to sit a warm, clean and well-lighted place and hear the sounds of life going on around him.

For every old woman alone tonight, wide awake in her bed staring at the ceiling, remembering the laughter of children on nights just like this one, when there was so much work to do and a houseful of guests to feed.

For all our four-legged friends who just know it when you’ve received very bad news and know what you need. They lean against your leg, or just nuzzle.

But some, like a stubborn dog I know, still hasn’t quite been forgiven for that Christmas Eve years ago when his muzzle wasn’t white and his humans—with no room in the fridge–put the big punchbowl of boozed-up homemade eggnog out on the table on the deck, nestling it in the snow to keep it cool.

And later, someone let that dog out, but his human didn’t know he was out there, and so the dog known to many as Zeus the Wonder Dog stuck his big stubborn head deep into the punch bowl to gulp down that spiked eggnog. He lapped and lapped. And he lapped some more.

When his master confronted him, Zeus slowly lifted his head out of the bowl, buzzed and somewhat surprised, homemade eggnog dripping from his face. He wagged the stub of his tail as if to say “Man, you’ve got to have some of this. It’s so darn tasty.”

It was a good thing dogs can’t drive, because Zeus couldn’t walk a straight line.

And for everyone on the night shift tonight, and those who must work tomorrow, all the first responders—the paramedics, firefighters and police–and the families and friends, especially their children, nieces and nephews waiting for them to come home safe.

And that Chicago Paramedic Chief who thinks about the people who were under his command, and how they all dealt with the pain and thinks about them tonight.

For all the kids cut down in the street gang wars in violent big cities, with politicians cynically bartering away the public’s safety in the pursuit of power and votes from those who do violence against the innocent.

For all the cops of these broken cities who can’t bear what such brutal politics have brought and internalize it and poison themselves and seek an exit. Please don’t. Please don’t go. Reach out, ask for help. There are priests to talk to, your colleagues. Remember that help is out there, and you are loved. And remember, the people need you and rely on you to protect them.

For everyone who waits for that call from the doctor only to feel the flutter of dark wings. For the physicians who have waited for such a call, knowing how it goes.

For everyone in hospital tonight praying for dignity, relief from pain, and a peaceful end without shame or suffering. For the families and friends who comfort them and mourn them. For their physicians who tend them.

For every nurse who enters a quiet room, pulls up a chair and listens to a quiet confession. For the physical, operational and language therapists who never let their patients quit on themselves.

For all the clergy who’ve struggled with their faith, yet who find it again and who are renewed.

For every sailor at sea standing watch tonight, staring out at cold black water, and remembering brightly lit rooms.

For every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who protect us. And for those of the U.S. Foreign Service and the Intelligence Services who walk into the shadows alone to protect this great nation.

For the American republic, the last, best hope of liberty on earth. And for the American people, who never, ever quit.

Many of us have thought of quitting lately, to avoid the dangerous buffoonery on both sides of this jagged political divide that tears our nation apart. But we must not ever think of quitting.  Our republic is worth saving. American liberty is worth saving. America is worth saving. If not us, then who?

For all those who despair, remember this: We are Americans. And we Americans find a way.

To all those whom I’ve hurt with thoughtless words, I apologize. Yes, it troubles me. Because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to reconcile this writer’s life that sets me to make some hard judgements against those who hurt others, and then and balance all that against my Orthodox Christian faith which tells me to leave the judgements to God.

I worry that I’ll become blinded by zeal or by pride and lock the gates of heaven against myself. We become like barking dogs frightened by the night.

But it is by the love of Christ, prayer and faith that we’re given the opportunity to unlock those gates.

For every one of you who has joined me here in supporting this great new adventure. I am overwhelmed. I almost gave up and quit writing. But those of you who subscribed just wouldn’t let me give up. You gave me the precious gift of responsibility, of a task, of purpose. My family and I can’t ever thank you enough.

And for all those across the world who know what is most important on this special night.

It is that simple message brought to us by that perfect child born in the manger in Bethlehem so long ago.

He is the gift. He came to light the world.

He is all about love.

I pray that love comforts you and remains.

From our family to you and yours.

Merry Christmas.

-30-

(Copyright2023JohnKass)

Comments 105

    2. Every year, I think this particular column can’t possibly get better, and every year, you prove me wrong.

      A very merry, very peaceful Christmas to you, Betty, and your boys (and the girlfriends), and the imbibing canine known to us as Zeus!

    3. Thanks for your reminders of the realities of life and how we humans are all flawed. The spirit that inspires us from above helps us connect with others is the essence of our calling on earth to be good and kind while protecting the weak and less fortunate. Thank you John Kass for staying your course in the face of adversity! Bravo and Merry Christmas to all!

  6. Kala Xristougena John and Family. Well written and the truth. Christ is all about love, and he came to show us how to love. Merry Christmas and Kalo Xrono.

  10. I’m glad you didn’t quit writing. It is what you were meant to do. I have all but quit writing, but for me it is just a hobby, not a calling. So I dabble and fill the days that aren’t so full. But you didn’t survive to sit in a chair and stew for the rest of your life. You survived to write about important things and say the things that need to be said. The things in this column are important. Merry Christmas.

  12. Merry Christmas John to you and your family. Your Christmas column is again beautifully written and just what was needed after a rough night. Thank You and keep doing what you do.

  17. Thank you for your writing, and especially for this column that I look forward to reading every year. I know you start with a blank page every time and write your heart. Merry Christmas, Mr. Kass.

  18. An early wish for health and happiness to you, Betty, sons, and family, John, as we both read your anticipated classic together. Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia.

  19. Mr. Kass and family,

    Thank you for all of your writings. God has helped you through all of your health challenges for a reason and the column such as the one published today is one reason. Merry Christmas!

  20. Merry Christmas to the Kass Family! This holy night is special, always special, for the exact reasons John Kass lays out before His manger, like a great shepherds cloak!

  22. Merry Christmas John to you and your family. Always a pleasure reading your columns. May the Lord bless us all with an upcoming year filled with love and peace.

  24. Good Morning John,

    On this Christmas Eve, you are so right to proclaim Love is the answer.
    So simple but yet so difficult for many.
    Reminds me of the wonderful song beautifully sung by Jackie DeShannon, “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love.”

    Merry Christmas to you and your readers!

  25. To John Kass and family, Betty and sons. Merry Christmas. May God continue to bless us all with your continuing to put words of wisdom forward and teaching us that words do count. How proud I am of knowing that John Kass is still up and typing. His will not bending and showing all of us his strength and will to continue are extremely special. Yes John, I still keep you in my prayers each night. You are worth every prayer from all of us.
    To a special man, who allowed Zeus the Wonder Dog to drink all that eggnog, God bless you sir.
    Tom Adams

  27. Merry Christmas to all! I look forward to this special column every year, and it always refills my needed sense of hope and love.
    Thank you John. You do wonders in your own way.

  28. Beautifully written as always John. I look forward to this every year. As a retired nurse who worked many night shifts and so many holidays in my career this column always speaks to me. God Bless you this year especially.

  35. This is why I subscribe to John Kass. Laughing with a tear in my eye. Great work John!!
    Merry Christmas to those celebrating and Happy New Year to everyone!

  40. Beautiful, your best Christmas column ever.

    Fr. Tom McCarthy always says,
    “How good it is that we are here today. Never give up.”

    Merry Christmas to you and your Family.

  46. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones John. This is one of my most favorite columns ever written by you. It comes from your heart, and speaks the truth, which too many seem to fail to acknowledge because feelings now surpass the facts in many walks of life.

  53. Not that we needed further evidence, but this column is proof of why, if there was no John Kass in this historical period of uncertainty, we would need to hold auditions to find a writer with a razor sharp mind who is able to produce a sentence like this: “For those who are physically near, yet distant in so many other ways, believing that the bad choices they’ve made have locked the door against them.” This struck me like a gut punch. It’s all around us. Every family has someone dealing with their demons and for you to include this in your Christmas Eve column is indicative of a Servant’s heart. God bless the Kass family this Christmas. Easy on the Greek deserts, buddy, because the nation needs your wisdom as often as possible!

  54. God’s blessings to you, your wife, your sons and all who surround you with love. Merry blessed Christmas! You are prayed for and cherished for your gift…your God given gifts. Thank you for sharing as you do…as only John Kass.

  57. Thanks to John Kass for working so faithfully during a challenging 2023 to sustain his column, something a contracting region of public commentary ever more urgently needs. Thanks to Betty. And thanks to fellow subscribers for comprising a virtual community that (also for many others, I’d guess) became increasingly important as the year went on. Merry Christmas, everyone.

  58. I have read this column since you first wrote it and every year it brings a tear to my eye.

    Merry Christmas to you and you family and a Healthy, Happy New Year!

  59. John, every year when I read your Christmas column tears form in my eyes. I eagerly anticipate every one of your columns, this one the most. They usually rouse emotions I feel but am unable to express, even to myself. Merry Christmas to you & your family.

  60. John, every year when I read your Christmas column tears form in my eyes. I eagerly anticipate every one of your columns, this one the most. They usually rouse emotions I feel but am unable to express, even to myself.

    Merry Christmas to you & your family.

  65. I am so glad you did not give up or give in to the unkindness of others because you spread kindness to all of us. God bless you John and a Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  66. God bless you and your family, John. Thank you for being a voice of reason and sanity in an insane world. Thank you for reminding us that God is Love and that He sent his only son to save us from our sins. We celebrate him today! Believe! Merry Christmas!

  67. So salient, John Kass.
    Christmas is about sitting around the table, eating and sharing memories.
    But, there is an empty chair and it sits empty because it is where a loved one always sat. They may have been recently lost or lost many years ago. It doesn’t matter, because when you look at the empty chair, you think of them.
    It may be empty because that person has to work on Christmas Day. Firefighters, police, paramedics and hospitals have to run 24/7/365. The adults in the room understands that what our public servants do is necessary even on Christmas. Little kids not so much.
    I remember December 22, 2010, Chicago FD lost Corey Akum and Edward Stringer to a fire/building collapse and while I was processing this tragedy, I kept thinking about how sad Christmas would be for the families and friends of two of Chicago’s bravest. Suffering a loss is bad enough, but losing someone so close to our most joyous time of the year is so hard to rationalize.
    I remember that first Christmas without Dad. It wasn’t like any other. It was a little bit sad; a little bit uncomfortable. Dad always believed that Christmas was for the kids. Eventually, someone would get the photos out and stories would abound. And before we knew it, we were right back to the reason for the season.
    Warm thoughts/warm hearts.
    There is an empty chair at the table and it has a story.

  69. To John and his family, and to his dear readers.

    On this Christmas Eve, as I prepare the Polish tradition of the “Wigilia” dinner, may I wish you a heartfelt “Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia.”

    May there be Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards All!

  70. “For every sailor at sea standing watch tonight, staring out at cold black water, and remembering brightly lit rooms.”

    Thank you.

    By the time the ship’s clock in the wheelhouse strikes midnight and the chief mate has relieved me, we will be halfway out Long Island Sound with another load of heating oil for Boston.

    Some forty plus years at sea now and I can count on one hand how many times I have been home for Christmas and retirement is still a decade away.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mr. Kass and a Merry Christmas to all hands here at JKN.

  71. Thank you for being you. I always wait for all your columns but especially this one. I had tears in my eyes as I read this one. So thankful that you continue to write. We all need your words of encouragement at this scary time. Merry Christmas to you, Betty and the boys. And may you have a wonderful and healthy 2024.

  76. John: You have covered all the aspects of this beautiful Holy Season in
    traditional Kass style. Merry Christmas and may the New Year be so much more PEACEFUL for all of us. In His Love! R. Turnbull

  77. Γιάννη,
    Can’t possibly add any more to your Christmas message so will simply close with – Καλά Χριστούγεννα to your entire family and καλή χρονιά!! Σ’ευχαριστουμε για όλα τα λόγια που σου χάρισε ο Θεός!! Νάσαι καλά!!

  79. Thank John for another excellent Christmas column.

    I very much appreciate the effort you put in every year to keep it fresh while always maintaining the focus on birth of Christ as the reason for hope and celebration.

    Reading your Christmas column has become a tradition for me.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

  80. Merry Christmas Mr. K and your family. Merry Xmas to all your readers and guest columnists.

    John you have been telling the truth since your days at the Daily Calumet. Thanks for the great column today, thanks for always looking out for the under dog, those of us who work and try to be honorable God fearing people.

  81. Merry Christmas to you, John, and to your family, and to all of your friends who have helped you keep this beacon of freedom and common sense alive to provide hope for all of us.

  82. Something we all needed tonight.
    And to one of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing – To you and your family, Merry Christmas my friend!

  84. John,
    You constantly improve on the perfection of your writing. You inspire and give Hope in a world darkened by Greed and bad political policies.

    Today is a day for rejoice and thankfulness because of the birth of our Lord and Savior.

    Merry Christmas to you and all those who count on your words of encouragement ❤️

    Have a Blessed and Happy 2024🥂🎉

  85. Thank you for the beautiful written words. You always give us hope. Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all your loyal readers who look to you for sanity and give us hope.
    Here’s to a Happy and healthier New Year!

  86. Great piece, as always. Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to the Kass Family.
    And, by the way, coffee tastes better in my new mug, especially when I wear my “No Chumbolone” hat- thanks.

  90. There is a 300 year old tree in Lincoln Park. Right by the monument to President Grant, across the zoo parking lot. When it was a sapling it was bent to grow along the ground to mark a major trailhead for travellers along the lake. Leading to trails that would become all the major diagonal or irregular Chicago Arteries. It was part of an Indian village. Then after Indian removal, grew on the Northeast corner of the Chicago cemetery, where 6000 confederate soldiers and political prisoners were buried from Camp Douglas. All were re-intered and the cemetery became a Park. And so this beautiful tree survives!

    This tree can talk, it said to me ” You all have just arrived, you just got here. You built a city from 2000 people to 5th largest city in the world, in 70 years, and built it twice! This too shall pass, what you endure now” said the tree.

    Then it said ” but I am also an hourglass” I said “say what?”

    “You have until I die to get this thing right” the tree said, tongue in cheek. A Christmas 🎄!!

    Merry Christmas!

  91. A truly heartfelt writing John…I wish my family was still here to rekindle those old memories…the tinsel that always ended up in the couch cushions (that weren’t still under vinyl!) and the pine needles I kept stepping on in March…the anticipation of giftage and the 3 of us in our pajamas…a small family we were but it was no less special. As I get older I look back on those old b&w photos with the curvy edges and see the long gone me and my eternally young parents and remain grateful for what I had then and what I have now, a family by marriage and several families born out of friendship. But I digress – Merry Christmas John, to you and your family – Merry Christmas next week as well as the Greek Christmas runs that week late!!!! Best to you all….

  95. Thank you for speaking up for the shy ones. That is, or at least was, me. Just because we don’t know how to seek the spotlight doesn’t mean that we don’t need acknowledgment. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  97. And for all the journalists, writers, and artists — who despite it all — find a way to express themselves, despite the challenges and juggernauts — thank you.

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