NationStates Jolt Archive


A Final Christmas Message

Hamptonshire
24-12-2005, 10:08
The following letter was written by the now deceased Grand Duke Reginald Leopold I in the weeks prior to his abdication and later death from cancer. It was to be released by his designated personal heir, Princess Anne, the Christmas immediately after his death. As per instructions Princess Anne has published the letter in all major news outlets.


I send greetings to all people whether or not they celebrate Christmas.

I wrote this letter while going through my cancer treatment. It will be released the first Christmas after my death. It is my wish to give one final message to my countrymen and my fellow human beings.


Like nearly all things in the modern world, Christmas is a complicated subject. To some it is a sacred event, to others it is a commercial and secular holiday and there are even those that see Christmas as a symbol of that which is wrong with the world. This isn't the time for debate or ridicule. It is the time that we all should gather together as part of a global community and come to recognize how fragile we truly are.

We must all embrace this time of year as a time of Peace and Understanding. This time of year has always held special significance; it was the time of pagan holidays, Hanukkah and, occasionally, Ramadan. Even within Christianity there is tension over the timing and the meaning of the event of Jesus of Nazareth's birth. To some the Christ's birth was the moment that humanity was saved, to others it was but the beginning of the journey that would lead to salvation. What I ask, and what I feel the world demands, is yet another reevaluation of what this season means to all of us.

Beneath the rampant materialism and commercialism that has become a part of this season lays deep and universal truths: Peace, Goodwill, and Community. It is at this time of year, perhaps more than any other in our deeply imperfect world, that we should all strive of Peace and Goodwill. To some there is a deeper religious and spiritual meaning to Christmas, but we all should have in our hearts a hope and desire to change the world for the better.

A person needs not be communist or socialist to celebrate and contemplate May Day nor should a person need to be Christian to celebrate and contemplate Christmas. Christmas offers all of us an opportunity to reach out and actually care for each other. It is the day that all nations, all groups should be able to set aside as a Day of Peace. How could a single day without war, without strife, without needless suffering be bad?

It is my wish that in the years following my death all peoples of the world will eventually come to know peace. I know that is a lofty, if not impractical, hope but I have to believe that humanity is capable of more than death and destruction. Whether you are Communist, Capitalist, Pacifist, Militarist, Xenophobic, Christian, Atheistic, Agnostic or anything else as long as well all breathe the same air and live on the same world, we are bound together. We are all Brothers and Sisters.

This season should become the time when warring parties come together and kiss each other on the cheek. We should not only forgive but embrace those that insult and wish us harm. When we make our toasts they should be for the health, wealth and longevity of the Family of All Humanity. This December 25th we should all take pause and dedicate ourselves to each other. In our common devotion to each other we will be able to find the strength to protect and nourish all that is good and right in the world.

May peace be with us all no matter where or who we are.

Merry Christmas,
Reginald Leopold I, Magnus Dux
Hamptonshire
25-12-2005, 09:40
[bump]
Quaon
25-12-2005, 14:44
The Prime Minister of Quaon looked over the letter, and smiled while brushing a tear from his eyes. "Merry Christmas."