Christmas Past

Because it is the season to be jolly and because there is an anticipation of good things to come in the air, there can surely be no reason to feel a little sad and tearful? Sitting at my desk, Classic FM providing the sound track, I was as close to tears as it is safe to get at work today. Suddenly I had a feeling of the world changing and reforming and sliding away from the safeness of the past. I felt the urge to capture a picture perfect life and never let it change. I suspect when we indulge in the traditions of the season; when we put up our Christmas tree and order our turkey, send Christmas cards with red breasted robins and listen to Christmas carols on the radio; we are harnessing a Christmas past, clinging on with our finger tips to a better world, nourishing ourselves on the 'milk of human kindness' that flows with abundance at this time of year. When, more than now, are we inclined to wish good wishes for others, or to give generously to those without, or to pity those 'alone' at Christmas? It is a time of family gatherings, a reunion of souls and a period of thankfulness. Any bad thing that happens at Christmas is automatically twice as bad, it is after all the season to be jolly. Misfortune, badness, crimes and wickedness can not be tolerated, not at Christmas. At other times, we shrug off such things and explain it away with the phrase ' thats' life these days'.
The Ghost of Christmas Past haunted Ebenezer Scrooge showing him scenes from his past that occurred on or around Christmas, in an attempt to demonstrate to him the necessity of changing his ways; most of the events which negatively affected Scrooge occurred around the Christmas holiday season. With the media hyping us all up to have a picture perfect Christmas, is it any wonder we all experience a twinge or two of disappointment.

I wonder if Christmas is a time of reflection we humans need to allow us to regather our energies for the year ahead. It is a time to reinforce ourselves with the nourishment of the love given by others, in which ever way it comes: gifts, a good meal, a card in the post. It is a time for remembrance, to look back before we move forward, to feel sorrow, before we experience joy.