While Christmas lights illuminate the streets of major cities and the aroma of sweet bread fills the homes of millions of families, there exists a parallel reality that unfolds in silence, far from magnificent festivities and family gatherings. On the same planet, at the same moment, humanity experiences such disparate realities that they seem to belong to different universes, especially during these dates that traditionally evoke unity and hope.

Globalization and social networks have allowed us to become instant witnesses to this stark duality. While some share their elaborate dinners and expensive gifts on Instagram, these same platforms show us images of refugees fleeing armed conflicts, carrying with them barely the essentials to survive. Technology has democratized information, but it has also amplified our awareness of our differences.

This dichotomy isn't new, but it becomes more poignant during year-end festivities. In Buenos Aires, Madrid, or New York, entire families gather around abundant tables, while in Yemen, Gaza, or South Sudan, other families struggle to obtain drinking water or a plate of food. The cruelest irony is that both realities coexist in a world that produces enough resources to feed its entire population.

The contrast isn't limited to war and peace, or abundance and scarcity. It manifests in every aspect of daily life. Some children receive tablets and latest-generation gaming consoles, while others work in inhumane conditions in coltan mines, the mineral necessary to manufacture those same devices. Inequality isn't an accident, but the result of a global economic system that has normalized these discrepancies as "the natural order of things."

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these social fractures with brutal clarity. We witnessed how some families could afford the luxury of teleworking from second rural homes while others were cramped in reduced spaces, forced to choose between the risk of contagion or hunger. Years later, these scars remain open and the differences have deepened even further.

However, recognizing this reality shouldn't paralyze us in self-pity or guilt. The real challenge lies in transforming this awareness into action. Solutions aren't simple or immediate, but there are paths to reduce these gaps, such as more equitable public policies, a fairer tax system, greater investment in education and health, and a real commitment to sustainable development.

It's time to question our model of society and the narratives that sustain it. The true celebration of humanity cannot be limited to a privileged sector while others suffer basic deprivations. The spirit of unity that these dates proclaim must transcend family circles and transform into an active commitment to building a more equitable world. Only then can we speak of a true global celebration, where joy isn't the privilege of a few, but the right of all.