Experience shows that moving house provides opportunities to review, renew and eschew. It uncovers all the clutter of one’s life and, it we can bear it, gives an opportunity for reassessment and restructuring of our interior life too. Such has been the case for us, and the looming of Christmas further accentuates the good, the bad and the ugly.
The whole Christmas matter was recently brought into sharp focus by the revelations of a new friend. She has a beautifully carved Continental crib scene and Playmobil version, which she prefers. The Playmobil crib scene has played its significant role in the festive season, for many years. During one Christmas, Baby Jesus was lost down the back of a radiator! I know not for how long, but he was subsequently retrieved and returned to his rightful place.
As I approach the mountain of unwritten Christmas cards, with dread, and relish the Aldi advertisements, which exactly echo my Scrooge-like desire to merrily wrap and give pieces of tinsel. (My wood-burning stove fund is firmly in focus.) A corner of my mind ponders whether Baby Jesus is lost down the back of a radiator or tucked securely in his crib.
Two hours after I join the crowds of harassed, irritable consumers and shops polluting the atmosphere with insincere, tinny muzak; I tell myself, “Never again,” again. Retreating to my laptop and a cosy corner at home, I encounter the revelation that is e-Christmas shopping. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!
Simultaneously shopping and munching mince pies, I squash my tinsel-wrapping idea and browse at will. Rapid success and then, my eyes are drawn to yet another something that rushes helter-skelter onto my “simply shouldn’t be done!” list. The “light-up giant Santa carrying Baby Jesus”, no matter how or where one puts it, is vulgar. It should only be purchased or displayed by guests who ate that wedding cake. (They ate a life-sized replica of the bride.) Google; you will be amazed – and probably traumatised!
As you celebrate – however you celebrate – give yourself time to appreciate both faces of Christmas. May your real gift, this year, be incomparable peace and a moment to appreciate your immeasurable worth.
Happy Christmas.
