Celebrating Our Faith

Paul Jonna, Acting Editor in Chief

Dear Friends:

In this time of Christmas, let us rejoice in our loved ones near and far, and remember the ones celebrating with us from above. This past year has brought many challenges that have tested our faith, our determination and our will. Regardless of the challenges, our community continues to connect, to love and to remain close with those most special to us. This is what makes us Chaldean.

This month’s theme, “A Chaldean Christmas,” is about how we, as a community, celebrate. Our traditional Christmas celebrations are filled with endless people busting through the doors, with much drinking, eating, yelling, eating, kissing, hugging and more eating. We love each other, and we’re not afraid to show it. But this year, it’s different. We are forced to love in a different way to ensure the protection of our loved ones and the loved ones they encounter.

For me, it always comes back to family and faith. Even though we may be “Zoomed out,” thank God we have the technology that allows us to connect so easily! Can you imagine how isolated the people that suffered through previous pandemics felt?

We also have our immediate families to spend time with, which in our way-too-busy lives should be put in the “blessings” column. Even as my daughter’s head pops into the bottom of each video conference while working from home (mainly to tell me to be quiet so she can listen to her show), getting to spend time with the three of them as they sit through my “boring” meetings has been the best part of this year. And even if you are not physically sitting next to your loved ones, it is the emotional connection and protective measures that we take to put them first that is the greatest gift we could give.

I wish you all the peace and happiness this Christmas with your family welcoming the birth of our Lord. Stay safe and warm with the knowledge that this is merely a moment in time that will pass, but family is forever.

And I wish you a joyous and prosperous new year, full of love and hope for the future.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Paul Jonna