Ring out the Solstice Bells – The Spirit of Christmas Way Past.
It’s the 21st December – Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time of year, pre-historic people knew that the year had turned some sort of corner. Though there was more to come in terms of cold and wet – even in more Southern Parts of Europe, there was still a realisation that the daylight was getting longer.
It has been a natural time for celebration and Fire to banish the dark and welcome the longer days was used in many cultures.
The Romans held their Saturnalia at this time with the exchanging of gifts and lighting of candles so when early Christians needed a date for the celebrations of the birth of Jesus this time of the year was rather handy. Some theologians will say that it was very carefully worked out – I will let them carry on with that belief.
Many Christians, of course, will assert that Easter is a more important festival and some of them regret the commercialisation of Christmas. Indeed Christmas has increasingly become more secular and more like the Roam Saturnalia with lots of conspicuous over-consumption.
Oliver Cromwell is often cited as the Miserable Man Who Banned Christmas. This, of course, is not quite true. He was not anti-religious in this. He wasn’t banning Christmas, he was banning the way it was being celebrated and was clear that he found no biblical justification for the way that people over-indulged and failed in their true devotions.
People ask me if I, as a Humanist Celebrate Christmas – without sounding like the Humanists UK Website I say, yes in a secular sense. It’s the time of year to have a midwinter break and I certainly respect others who are celebrating at this time of year – whether they are praising Saturn or observing Hanukkah.
What I do not like is the way in which Christmas is built up into an event that then becomes an anti-climax, a disappointment or a disaster. I have seen family rifts about where the celebration is to be, the arguments about whose turn is it to be with whom, the debt incurred in trying to keep up with expectations and the stress and disappointment when it doesn’t quite come off.
We also now have the absolute bilge that comes out at this time of year about Christmas being banned because we want to pacify minorities and be politically correct. These moaners have often got dubious adherence to Christian values themselves.
One year when I worked for a charity and was responsible for a service supporting disabled children I got sensitive about the annual Christmas Party. Shock Horror we had Muslim Children we were inviting. All of the debates were rehearsed and before we renamed it and I hung up my Santa Suit – I called an Imam. Nice bloke from Bradford.
“Ee lad you do go on”
He was a reet straight Yorkshire-man
“Firstly Jesus was a Muslim Prophet, for us he didn’t work against Islam and we won’t work against him, and Oh, by the way, The Virgin Mary is well respected in Islam. You carry on and call it Christmas and we will come to your party – We will even invite you to see what our Eid Celebration and observance is about.”
I asked him about Santa Claus – and he said “Yes that’s fine –You’ll be giving them Selection Boxes – as long as they haven’t got sweets with pork gelatine in them they will be fine. The food should be Hal-Al if you can – but if not they’re used to the Veggie option”
Of course, he wasn’t a fundamentalist he was trying hard to work to help us to integrate and understand but it was good to see the recirculation this year of the Muslim Council of Britain’s statement on Christmas.
So – what do I think?
Enjoy the end of December in whatever way you wish – as long as you are not being selfish and imposing your wishes on others.
Help people and have goodwill towards others – but keep it up through the year. People who are on the Streets at Christmas are probably there in freezing January and February.
Also, maybe, understand that sometimes what you are doing to enjoy yourself might impose on others and make them uncomfortable.
Also, maybe, understand that sometimes what you are doing to enjoy yourself might impose on others and make them uncomfortable.
Happy Festive Season whatever you are doing.
