T’is the Season! – Whatever that means?

Time Flies

As I grow older, time seems to speed up ever increasingly! It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was taking down the Christmas decorations and now it is Christmas eve again!  Where has the time gone?

In the Fall of 1978, I went off to St. F. X. and that Christmas, I went to see Star Wars and was amazed at the special effects and the power of the ‘force’ and all things Jedi.  Thirty-seven years later, the force is with us again for the Holidays and life seems more hectic and the sound bites shorter than ever! 

In addition to learning the expression, ‘may the force be with you’, while at X, I also learn the Latin phrase ‘tempus fugit’ (times flies).  It is only now that I have a true appreciation of what that expression really means.  Boy, time sure does fly and faster than the Millennium Falcon trying to outrun an Imperial Starship!

Simpler Times

The Holidays use to be simpler when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's, perhaps because it was a simpler time; but, also because the wonderful diversity we now enjoy in Canada makes us all more sensitive to how we express our ‘glad tidings of comfort and joy’ so as not to offend anyone. 

It is a good thing that most of us want to make sure all our friends and colleagues are included in our well-wishing as there are over 29 ‘holy days’ celebrated by at least 7 of the world's major religions between 01 November and 15 January[i], making the generic ‘Happy Holiday’ most fitting ! 

Of course, it can also lead to some awkward or sometimes funny moments. In a recent LinkedIn Post a colleague wrote:

“Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year!”

I commented on the Post by wishing my colleague 'Happy Holidays’ as well.  Another comment was more direct and expressed  the sentiment:

“Very nice...but please " Merry Christmas " sounds oh so much better.”

Nothing New

Of course, most non-Christians are not offended by us wishing each other ‘Merry Christmas’, but no doubt appreciate it when we use a more generic form when addressing them.  Ultimately, it is not the words that are used that are critical but the spirit intended to be conveyed, which transcends religion, creed, nationality or geography.  

There is nothing new about this sort of balancing act.   In its 25 December, 1937 edition, The New York Times observed:

 “We hear the beating of wings over Bethlehem and a light that is not of the sun or of the stars shines in the midnight sky. Let the beauty of the story take away all narrowness, all thought of formal creeds. Let it be remembered as a story that has happened again and again, to men of many different races, that has been expressed through many religions, that has been called by many different names. Time and space and language lay no limitations upon human brotherhood.”

Special Time of Year

Whatever ‘holy days’ one celebrates (or even if one does not), most of us recognize the importance of this special time of year and the good it brings us.  As Laura Ingalls Wilder (of “Little House on the Prairie” fame) observed:

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”

Why this occurs can be debated, the fact that it does occur appears to be self-evident in all that we see, hear or do.  Noted minister and author  Norman Vincent Peale explains the ‘why’ this way:

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

Yes, this time of year is very special indeed and has spawned some very funny observations and material for all to enjoy!  Author and Comedian Dave Barry sums up ‘seasonal inclusion’ very well in his bestselling book, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide":

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukka" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukka!" or (to the atheists) "Look out for the wall!"

Glad Tidings

No other time of year expresses itself like times of yore, than the yule tide.  Hark now hear the ancient strains of ‘peace on earth, goodwill to man’ and ‘glad tidings of comfort and joy’!   We seem to tolerate and even relish such archaic language as it seems to add to the magic that is Christmas and evokes ‘ghosts of Christmas past’.

Indeed, one of the joys of Christmas is how readily our thoughts turn to simpler bygone days of our Childhood and the memories of gifts of Christmas past – usually the love they represent, more so than the possession itself. 

Lightseeing Tour

For me, one of the things I always enjoyed (and still do) is going around the neighbourhood to enjoy the festive lights and decorations. When it come s to Christmas, the 1966 spaghetti western, ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ (“GBU”)’ well sums up what one is likely to experience. That is of course because when it comes to Christmas, like all things, ‘beauty is in the lie of the beholder’.

In the spirit of the Holidays (and because I am still a big kid at heart), I share with you some photo’s I took during a recent Lightseeing tour I took with my daughter Kayleigh in hopes that you will enjoy.  I will leave it to you to decide where they fall on the GBU spectrum!

(Photo Credit: https://time4smart.com)

Special Gifts

The first Photo above is a picture I recently took of the Chess Set my mother made for me and my two brothers in 1972 when we started playing Chess and couldn’t afford to buy a nice set.  

As I recount in an earlier Post, she took an old broom handle and caved the pieces and then made the storage box and playing board out of an old ‘Junior Carpenter Set’ that we had received for Christmas in the mid-60’s.  

The joy that it brought us then (and to this very day when I think of the love that it embodies) is overwhelming and reassuring!  It and other memories of my, and my children’s childhood, flood over me each year at this special time.

Lessons Learned

One of the most treasured lessons I have learned about Christmas, the spirit of giving and the importance of family, is best summed up by one of my all-time favorite ’Christmas Specials’.  

Even to this day, I watch it on Christmas eve with my children, as my parents did with us (except now on DVD of course).  In Dr. Seuss’, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ , the Grinch is frustrated that his efforts to stop Christmas were for not, reflected and then wisely observed:

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!... Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

Merry Christmas

I want to thank all of my connections, colleagues and friends for all of your good wishes, support and friendship throughout the year.    May your hearth and home be filled with the magic and joy of Christmas (or other Holy day) and may your hearts be filled with love and warmth.

I leave you with a little Christmas Music from a concert last year at the Basilica where I sang with Chebucto Community Singers as one of 7 choirs in the finale.

In honour of the season, Star Wars and inclusion:

PS: "For Unto us a Child is Given"

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[i] https://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_conflict1.htm