In the spirit of Xmas, a little perspective

We owe a debt of gratitude to the Auckland Regional Migrants Services Trust. Had it not been for its sensitivity to non-Christians, we would not have known how Christian we become at Christmas. Clearly this country is not about to drop the religious greeting for the cautious “happy holidays” heard often in places like New York at this time of year. The overwhelming reaction, on the evidence of our readers, was Christmas by any other name would not be the same.

After all, it is the spirit of Christmas that counts, a season of goodwill when disagreements are replaced by peace and understanding.

In that spirit, the trust deserves a word of understanding, as does its patron, Dame Susan Devoy. They were not banning Christmas. The trust was making sure its invitation to a Christmas lunch would not deter immigrants of other religious traditions. It knew they probably celebrate Christmas in their homelands and called it by its name, but wanted to make sure the invitation was not misunderstood. Most of its critics realised that, in the same situation, most of them would do the same. But it was a chance to make a larger point. The trust and Dame Susan probably realised that and would acknowledge it now in the spirit of the season.

Quite a number of the year’s newsmakers could do with a word of understanding, while the spirit moves us.

We have decried Australia for deporting Kiwiborn Australians for minor crimes but deep down we understand it. We scoffed at the Prime Minister’s belief that another group of refugees shipwrecked off Indonesia were making for New Zealand, but he probably has to assume the worst. We criticised Labour leader Andrew Little for his dour attitude to a flag change at every turn, but we understand that too. It is politics and he thought he was on the right side of public opinion.

We barked at Len Brown for leading a party of five from the Auckland Council to the Paris climate change conference, but action is required from cities as well as countries and this is his last Christmas as mayor. We chastised the Labour Party for identifying supposed foreign house buyers by Chinese names, but it was not opposing Chinese ownership in particular. We were scathing of Greeks for their attempt to resist austerity measures demanded by European creditors but they had already endured job losses and falling wages in order to keep the euro.

We damned the Auckland port company for trying to extend further into the harbour, but it was within its legal rights until the High Court found fault with its consent application. We condemned the Government’s Saudi sheep deal, but it was wellintentioned. Or is that taking the Christmas spirit too far? The point is we all make mistakes, and many of those who feature in the news are trying to work for the greater good.

It is time to recognise our common humanity, appreciate each other, and let us wish you, good readers, a happy Christmas.