This piece was written Staff Writer Maeve Hill from the perspective of Óðinn from Norse Mythology.
Dearest child,
I was pleased to receive your letter along with countless others from your brethren across the seas. You write in the hopes of receiving gifts that—I am saddened to say—are not mine to give. True, you have earned them ten times over, and yet it is for that very reason I must deny your request. Prior to reading your request, I thought it wise to first understand the scribe who had penned it.
Would you like to know what I found?
A mind watered by the Nords themselves with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. But, I said to myself, “knowledge is nothing without a purpose to guide it,” and so I looked deeper.
Would you like to know what I found?
A heart as fierce as any in my hunting party, emboldened with a sense of justice. But, I said to myself, “men have sought horrible ends in the name of their distorted sense of justice,” and so I looked deeper.
Would you like to know what I found?
A spirit born of wisdom far beyond its years. And, though I lament how you came to possess some of that wisdom, it was this final piece of information that allowed me to see the child behind their words.
And so you must be wondering, why. Why can I, of all creatures, not give you what you seek? Make no mistake, it is not due to any inability on my part nor any moral failing on yours.
Rather, I cannot conceive of a material gift I could give you that you could not obtain for yourself with the power I have seen within you.
I understand better than most the hopelessness that this time of year can instill in the hearts of mortals. I have seen it while riding the harsh night winds. The inescapable cold and the impenetrable dark seem to sap mortals of their will to live.
As one who is not mortal, let me give you some advice in lue of a gift.
No darkness is permanent, for what would it be without light.
No cold is inescapable, for nothing can douse the warmth of humanity.
And no hardship is eternal, for you grow stronger alongside it.
I hope you will keep these truths close to your heart, alongside those who love you.
Yuletide Blessings, Happy Christmas, Io Saturnalia, Chag sameach, Shab-e Yalda Mubarak, and a bountiful New Year to you.
Sincerely, Óðinn
