Christmas season is upon us and it is a time of joy and goodwill to all. Ukrainian children have taken this to a whole new level by sending their Christmas wishes to a very special man this year: St. Nicholas.
The tradition of writing letters to St. Nicholas is not novel in Ukraine, as children have been engaging in this practice for many decades. But this year’s batch of letters has been particularly special, as the children have tackled some of the most pressing problems facing the country. These range from air defense issues to economic troubles, and each letter was crafted with the hope that St. Nicholas might be able to solve them.
One letter reads: “Dear St. Nicholas, I hope you don’t get shot down by air defense. I’m sorry to write this, but our country is still trying to get rid of many airstrikes. I think if you would come to Ukraine, you would help us get rid of these airstrikes. Lots of hugs from Ukraine!” Other letters express similar concerns and wishes for peace and prosperity.
This touching gesture by Ukrainian children shows the resilience of the people and their willingness to look for solutions to their problems, even in the most unlikely of places. Their optimism is truly an inspiration, and it reminds us of the power of hope and prayer.
Let us hope that the wishes of these children find their destination and that St. Nicholas knows how to respond accordingly in the best possible way. With the holidays right around the corner, this could be the perfect opportunity for us to share love, hope, and joy.