Our Holiday Wish: One Nation Under God

One nation under God. That is our sincere wish for the United States of America and its citizens this holiday season. Let us repeat that wish.

One nation under God. What would create such a nation?

Its God would not be a Christian God, a Muslim God, or a Jewish God.

Its God would be ecumenical and non-denominational.

Its god would welcome all - even those who do not believe in a divine being - unless it’s Bette Midler.

Getting to God is the easy part - especially if one recalls that God is really George Burns.

Getting to one nation will be a much taller order. But it is an order that is definitely needed and worth placing.

We place it as our holiday wish list for this year. That list is in no way a comprehensive one – it is just a starting point for moving the United States closer to being one nation

As one nation, the United States would be inclusive and accepting of all people regardless of race, religion or sexual disposition

As one nation, the United States would be inclusive and accepting of all forms of music from classic to country to jazz to rock to hip hop and rap

(And, yes maybe even heavy metal and grunge – although they are not our cup of tea)

As one nation, the United States would elevate citizenship above partisanship and bring people together to pursue the common good

As one nation, the United States would be the place known for sharing and caring as opposed to blaming and shaming

As one nation, the United States would emphasize building bridges instead of constructing boundaries and barriers

As one nation, the United States would have leaders willing to compromise and collaborate to put the public interest above political and personal interest

As one nation, the United States would extend life lines instead of drawing battle lines

As one nation, the United States would be a land of big dreams, small treasures, brave people, kind deeds, and tender mercies

As one nation, the United States would be a country characterized by its civility and comity, grace under pressure, quiet dignity, sense of humor, and boundless energy.

Those are the items on our wish list at this point in time. We will add others as they come to mind.

We do not ask God or Santa to grant these wishes.

We understand that it will be up to us as mere mortals to pledge to pursue these wishes - not as an act of allegiance - but as a solemn commitment to doing all that we can, working in consort with other concerned citizens, to deliver on the American promise to make the United States “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

This is our holiday wish in 2016. What is yours? Please let us know.

In closing, we wish all of you a great 2017 and one nation under God in your future.