the time of year

Most of the leaves have fallen foul now of the waning Autumn giving way to elder brother Winter, her wardrobe of colour expended for another year.

The oppression of the season thence begins. Stepping off the bus in Edinburgh city centre, I couldn't help but be hit with what felt like a tidal wave of expectation. Everyone expectantly rushing and buying and planning and talking and complaining. 'Xmas' was upon me. In that instant, having been fine in my day till that point, my soul shuddered, stopped in my tracks by the transcendent, insidious, nauseating praxis this time of year imposes.

By this, I mean all of the focus upon the material, the shameful but insatiable lust for consumption, the seasonal paraphernalia (intended as broad term, here used to include anything from mince pies to decorations, Christmas music to Santas' grottos), the highest moral good is the exhortation to be 'nice' if just for the 'season of goodwill' (it's easy to be nice!). The focus on conjuring that vague and spineless ‘fuzzy’ feeling that so much value is placed upon. A time of year where people are praised for being so good as to put up with being around their families for a while. None of which Christians and church services are immune from at this time of year either.

And all of this is set against a backdrop where the all of those who do not ‘have’, who are not ‘sorted’ in our society are excluded and marginalised: the elderly, widows, orphans, those without family, those who are struggling with life, those socially and economically disadvantaged in some way, the mentally ill. Save, of course, the rush of charities giving us bountiful opportunity to conscience salve.

Amidst all of this, it is sometimes hard to see where the light is. The prophet Isaiah (9:2) suggests that there is light. That light has dawned, one which we can see and shines on us through the darkness. This was his way of talking about God, as light, and specifically of Jesus. As light, he guides us, shows us the way, provides security and most importantly draws us into the light, away from the confusion of the darkness. Being in the light allows for correct orientation of life, knowledge of true love and recognition of real beauty.

And the light bids us come. For all the above and more, whether you know the light already or are yet to step into it. This is what Christmas directs us to again, the arresting beauty and completion of the light – Jesus, and the path of true humanity: to love the light and to share the light.