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Broken Bodies and Spirits by MARGARET DICKSON soul searching about the culture of violence that informs our entertainment The Christmas season continues as we approach a new year. The pall that befell Newtown, Conn., and spread into every corner and crevice of our nation industry, including video games to which children so easily become addicted. We need to re���ect on the downsides of the ever-present technology, as well as continues as well. its upsides. We need to think about the There have been worse crimes kind of society we want America to be in our nation���s history, 9/11 chief for our children and grandchildren���. among them. The slaughter of 20 So how do we approach the 6- and 7-year-olds entrusted to the Christmas season in a troubled land? care of educators in an elementary I think there are several points to school, six of whom fell with them, ponder. The ���rst is that the message of has nevertheless shaken Americans to the scriptures has never been that life is our core. Our president had trouble easy or perfect. We know that human speaking. People are openly weeping on nature is sinful and corrupt. It was into television, and the professional talking an imperfect and violent world that heads cannot quit talking about what God came at Christmas to offer hope occurred early that Friday morning. No and possibility for renewal. matter how old one���s children may be, The second is that God have given anyone who has loved a child is gripped men and women the freedom and by anxiety when we allow ourselves to capacity to make decisions that can think about what transpired at Sandy improve lives, if we will do so. The Hook Elementary School. Christmas message teaches us that in As I try to comprehend the horror Americans of all faiths and no faith must examine our nation and right what we the midst of trouble, good can prevail. and to understand why it might have collectively find is wrong. We have the capacity to make things happened and what it means for Photo Credit: ABC News better. That, after all, is the reason for our nation, I have been reading the education ... thoughts of other people who are The third is that even in the midst of tragedy, goodness and charity will hold doing the same. Some of their thoughts resonate with me, others repel me, sway. We have already seen an outpouring of love and prayers for the families but I hold on to my belief that it is a positive thing that our nation has begun of Newtown. I hope that such sentiments will continue to inform our nation conversations about our violent culture, the easy availability of high-powered in all matters. It is time for us to approach each other with grace rather than ���rearms and our tragically inadequate mental care . accusations. We need to overcome points of division and look for evidence of Many voices are speaking, and one which strikes a chord with me is that shared commitments in matters of public policy and civic need. Christmas in a of Dennis Campbell, an ordained minister and former Dean of the Divinity troubled land may be more meaningful and powerful than Christmas in a land School at Duke University. Now headmaster of a high school in Virginia, Dr. that imagines everything to be just ���ne. Christmas will be an occasion for all of Campbell wrote to his school���s community about the Newtown tragedy, and I us to review what is really important in life and how we can reach out to one quote some of his thoughts here. another with compassion and love.��� ���Our nation is in mourning for the precious little children and those who Dr. Campbell voices a powerful Christian perspective, and his served them at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. It is heart words are also a call for all Americans of all faiths and no faith to wrenching to think of the comment so often made: ���Christmas is for children.��� This almost unimaginable act has galvanized the country and is creating much- examine our nation and to right what we MARGARET DICKSON, Concollectively ���nd is wrong. needed soul searching. We live just a few miles from Montpelier, the home of tributing Writer, COMMENTS? My own prayer is that we do so James Madison, the father of the Constitution. We need new thinking about Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. rationally and civilly and soon. the Second Amendment and its real meaning for the 21st century. We need We're ONLINE! Hang out and register to gain access to our archives. Visit us at www.upandcomingweekly.com! Daily Specials Breakfast Lunch Dinner Fresh Seafood Hand Cut Steaks Homemade Desserts Italian & Greek Children's Menu Banquet rooms available up to 100 guests WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 484-0261 1304 Morganton Rd. Mon-Sat: 6am-10pm Sun: 7am-3pm Serving Fayetteville Over 50 Years! DEC. 26, 2012 - JAN. 1, 2013 UCW 5