Christmas gift like no other

Constitutional Law was a required course for all second year law students at John Marshall College of Law. Nearly 30 years ago, I sat in the 17th row of the lecture hall listening to Professor Wilson. He spoke these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” He removed his eye-glasses and slowly wiped them with his handkerchief. “Can anyone tell me where these words originated?” he asked.

I had first read the words spoken by Professor Wilson many years before as a young student in history class at Holy Name Catholic School. I walked to school in those long ago days. Up Manhattan Avenue and across Lakeview towards the warm yellow light that radiated from the second floor classroom. December’s frost painted the windows of the neighborhood homes in silver and white. New fallen snow glistened in the glow of the corner streetlights. My black buckle boots crunched through the snow as I made my way along.

Prayers to God

I remember that each school day began with prayers to God. We students were taught to give thanks for all of our blessings. Prayers were followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We turned towards the American flag hanging in the corner of our classroom. We held our right hands over our hearts as we recited the words in unison. We always finished with the phrase, “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Back then, we believed in something greater than ourselves. Our belief in God instilled within us the desire to do good things. Our belief in the ideals of our democracy provided us with the opportunity to bring those desires to fruition. In that balance, our society flourished and the world watched in wonder. I recall in July of 1969 when my family gathered round our black and white television set as Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew realized President Kennedy’s quest of an American moon landing. Armstrong ruminated on his journey, “One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.” Pride in that accomplishment filled us all.

In recent times, men have forgotten that sense of belief, and we have become adrift without direction. Our government has become paralyzed with internal conflict. God has been relegated to a back seat while consumerism seems to have taken control of our lives. In our bewilderment, the lives of our children are taken in violence without contemplation or reason, and we seem powerless to affect any changes to stop it.

Three wise men

But, perhaps we can find our way through this darkness — just as three wise men did over 2,000 ago when they journeyed in night toward one bright shining star. Their belief in something greater than themselves led them to a manger in a lowly stable in Bethlehem where a newborn child brought the promise of salvation for all humanity. In wisdom and gratitude, these three kings gave homage to the tiny child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And, in that one single night, the course of the world was changed forever.

Nearly 30 years ago, Professor Wilson asked my Constitutional Law class where the words he had spoken originated. I raised my hand and answered, “Those words come from the Declaration of Independence, sir”. When I read those words, even today, I find recognition of our forefathers that something greater than ourselves blesses and guides our lives, and our country. Perhaps we may find that recognition once again in our own lives in this Christmas Season; recognition and gratitude for the gift of God’s only son. And, in the end, isn’t that the true reason for Christmas?

David Bobovnyik is a lawyer who lives in Canfield and writes from time to time about growing up on Youngstown’s West Side.