This week, Jews around the world will be celebrating Passover, the Festival of Freedom from slavery and oppression. Christians will celebrate Easter, the time of the Resurrection, also associated with freedom from original sin. Everyone in northern climes is looking forward to spring, when the snow melts and life emerges from hibernation. Australians usually enjoy the break from the unrelenting heat of summer.

Yes, it’s ironic that these holidays are coming at a time of severe curtailment of our personal freedom, in the cause of saving the lives of the most vulnerable. While most people understand and accept the reason for the stay-home orders, they are not optional even if you don’t. While the governments of democracies are not going as far as the president of the Philippines, who has threatened to shoot anyone who breaks the order, there are some pretty stiff fines being handed out in many jurisdictions. It’s a big deal, especially since so many have lost their jobs or closed their businesses. While we are watching the death toll climb and hope for the flattening of the curve, it can all feel pretty grim. Who feels like celebrating?

I want to offer for your consideration a quote from the late Hubert Humphrey:

“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

I would argue that this test is not only for governments, but for the everyday choices of people like you and me. 

Yes, it sucks, to put it bluntly, to be restricted in our freedom of movement. Yes, we miss those we love, especially the vulnerable ones we are afraid to contaminate without knowing it. Yes, this is going to be a holiday season unlike any other in living memory.

But I still say we can, and should, celebrate the choices we are making. Not because we are forced to by police tickets, but because we choose to protect those who cannot pay us back.

Celebrate every day that you are not carrying this virus out to those who cannot protect themselves against it. If you are one of the vulnerable, celebrate that we love you and are restricting ourselves to protect you.

Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season, however you celebrate it.