King Philippe Contrasts ‘Power of Hope’ With Fear and Powerlessness in Christmas Speech

In his traditional speech on the occasion of Christmas and New Year, King Philip called for the “power of hope” to be opposed to the fear and sense of powerlessness that conflicts and other challenges can bring. ‘That is not naive, passive optimism. On the contrary: hope is an energy,” said the monarch. “This year too we are experiencing dark times,” said King Philip. He cited the conflicts and wars in Ukraine, Congo and Sudan and the violence in the Middle East. “Let us (…) show the example of a society in which people of all origins and beliefs build a common future together. The example of a country in which interculturality is fully experienced.” Yet there is still violence in our society, as a result of exclusion, discrimination and racism. “I am also thinking of verbal abuse that often finds its way, anonymously, on the internet. To violence within the family. To sexual violence, which occurs in all circles,” the king summarized. According to the monarch, geopolitical developments, the vulnerability of democracy and the scale of the climate challenges create an uncertain future, which promotes a feeling of oppression and powerlessness, which is fueled by the fear resulting from violence. “We must dare to face this reality. But in the face of the fear and anxiety that can discourage and paralyze us – and ultimately in the face of violence itself – we can confront a force, a force of life itself: the force of hope.” “That’s not naive, passive optimism,” he continued. “On the contrary: hope is an energy that lies deep within ourselves and that is fueled by contact with those who are concretely committed to making the world a better place. And when we commit ourselves, that hope continues to grow.” That power gives confidence and promotes “constructive forces” such as nuance, willingness to listen and dialogue. “That will be our answer to what is going wrong in the world: a spirit of cooperation and not division, in pursuit of the common good: a sustainable world, but also a warm society. Because the two go hand in hand,” the monarch concluded.

https://x.com/MonarchieBe/status/1738892827528941972?s=20

Meals of Hope: Nourishing Gaza’s Children (youtube.com)

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Tagged Christmas, King Philippe of the Belgians.