| Spiritual Humour |
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| Do you know what I hate about Christmas? I hate those people who say 'I hate Christmas!' You know the type... the same people who walk around in the middle of a heat wave with an anorak on, complaining that it's too hot. The other folk who annoy me are the ones who always tell you to cheer-up, 'Never mind love,' they say, 'it'll soon be Christmas.' The fact that it is the middle of August seems to pass them by. I'm always tempted to reply, 'You're right it will soon be Christmas, and hopefully you won't see it.' I can be such a cheery soul. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I adore everything about it. No, actually that's not true...(Hold tight I can feel another rant coming on) I hate those people who go over-the-top with their Christmas decorations, attempting to out-shine their neighbours, the gaudier the better. A 7ft high, singing inflatable snowman and so many bulbs they use more electricity that a small African republic, and they leave them up till mid-March. OK, I'm calm again, where was I... Oh yes, I love Christmas. I still get excited about it, even though I'm now in my 40s; it still hasn't lost the magic of when I was a child. Will it snow? Will my father be electrocuted by the fairy lights again? Will the dog be sick over the presents like last year? Will the gift tags get mixed up |
| like they did two years ago? I was thrilled to receive a 4x4 remote controlled car, only to notice the puzzled look on my young son's face as he opened a set of frightful paisley Y-fronts meant for me. Will my wife appreciate the new flat cap and matching donkey jacket that I bought for her? (She'd better; they cost me a fortune at the car boot) Oh yes, I love Christmas. Like most Christian festivals, Christmas has it's roots in a far older pagan tradition. I think it was called Thistle-twong or Holly-pippin or something. Like most ancient customs it was centred on the seasons, and the worship of nature. |
| All that Glitters... |
| With his chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Spiritualist Writer Nick Richardson gets hot under the collar about the Festive Season |
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| Those of us who don't follow any particular religion can still feel a shared spiritual experience. This was reflected last year by the collective display of compassion shown to those people tragically caught in the Asian Tsunami. The fact that it happened over a time when lots of families were gathered together, reminded us of the really important things in life. It's not about what we've got, what new things we've acquired to fill our lives; the real joy comes from having each other and from sharing those moments that can't be bought and wrapped up. Despite all the commercialism and emphasis on spending, Christmas day still feels different to any other time. People in the street, who generally pass you by without a glance, smile and wish you 'A Merry Christmas.' |
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| By 8:30 in the morning there's normally 5 or 6 kids tearing up and down the pavement on their new bikes, and by 9:30 Granny is already hammered because she has been at the cooking sherry that was meant for the trifle. Another fun filled hour is spent having a pint down the pub and seeing all the men wearing their purple snowmen jumpers, bought for them by their mothers-in-law; the only time of the year when these items will see daylight. By Boxing Day mine will be consigned to the bottom of the wardrobe, along with last year's orange shocker. Also hidden from view, of course, is my new 18ft inflatable Santa, ready for next years display. Oh yes, I love Christmas, can we have one every year? |
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| I'd like to think this is where the tradition of decorating a tree started, and let's face it, they are nicer to look at than the plastic monstrosities that we have indoors today, often resembling a bunch of old pipe cleaners stapled to a broom handle. I think it's also important to remember that Christmas isn't just a time to go out and get drunk. Oh no, that can be done any weekend... |
| Down here in Cornwall, these rituals are still carried out. Many of Cornwall's Holy wells are decorated at Christmas; the groves surrounding these sacred springs are festooned with gifts. Coloured ribbon, cloth and even floral wreaths are hung from branches. |