One of my favorite holiday traditions in Chicago is visiting the Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. When my boys were young, we’d bring them to see the dozens of Christmas trees decorated to represent cultures around the world.
While we loved seeing all of the trees, we’d always make sure not to miss the ones from Ireland and Denmark, representing the boys’ own heritage. They also took particular interest in the trees from Germany, France, and Thailand, a few of the places where our many au pairs came from.
This month, I visited again with my sons, now teens. Seeing trees with decorations from around the world, alongside holiday displays of Hanukkah, Dawali and Ramadan, was a good reminder of how many cultures live in peace so close to one another in my Chicago hometown.
As we celebrate the Christmas holiday this week, I am reminded that peace is always possible. It requires curiosity, empathy and understanding, just as friendship does. So this week, I wish a Happy Christmas to all who celebrate, and share these words written more than 150 years ago:
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Language of Friendship 
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